A towing-line. Fr.
1814. A contrary wind, and some rain. Proceeded with the cordelle.—H. M. Brackenridge, ‘Journal,’ p. 236.
1817. Mr. Lisa came to borrow a cordeau, or towing-line.—John Bradbury, ‘Travels,’ p. 103. (Italics in the original.)
1823. Where rapids occurred, we assisted at the cordelle, or towing-line, from the shore.—J. D. Hunter, ‘Mem. Captivity,’ p. 84. (N.E.D.)
1823. We had the pleasure to find, notwithstanding the furnace was supplied with wood of an indifferent quality, that the force of our steam engine was sufficient to propel the boat against the current of the Missouri, without recourse to the cordelle, which we had expected to find necessary.—E. James, ‘Rocky Mountain Expedition,’ i. 67.
1826. A “cordelle,” which is a long rope fastened at one end to the boat, thrown ashore, and seized by a sufficient number of hands to drag or track the boat up the stream.—T. Flint, ‘Recollections,’ p. 91.
1833. We then applied our oars, and with the help of sotting-poles, and at times the aid of a cordelle, we stemmed the current at the rate of one, and sometimes two miles an hour.—‘Narrative of James O. Pattie,’ p. 152 (Cincinnati).
1835. In such emergencies it was impossible to proceed, except by means of the cordelle, a strong cable attached to the boat, by which the boatmen, walking on the shore, dragged it past these dangerous places.—James Hall, ‘Tales of the Border,’ p. 68 (Phila.). (Italics in the original.)
1884. A “Kanuck,” or French Canadian, at the oar or “cordelle,” the rope used to haul a boat up-stream.—T. W. Higginson, ‘The Great Western March,’ Harper’s Mag., lxix. p. 125 (June) (N.E.D.)
