leadsman

[ ledz-muhn ]

noun

, plural leads·men.

1. a sailor who sounds with a lead line.

leadsman

/ ˈlɛdzmən /

noun

1. nautical a sailor who takes soundings with a lead line

Word History and Origins

Origin of leadsman¹

First recorded in 1500–10; lead ² + 's ¹ + -man

Example Sentences

“Mark twain” – mark two, a depth of 12ft, safe water – was the leadsman’s cry and it has inspired no end of psychobabble about the significance of “the most recognised alias in the history of aliases”.

From The Guardian

She lurched across with dry decks, and when the leadsman got deeper water the pilot brought her round and pulled up his canoe.

From Project Gutenberg

"Thirty fathoms, and no bottom," sung the wearied leadsman; and presently, "Thirty fathoms,"—and a few minutes before 9 a. m. the anchor rattled out, on the 24th day after we left Simon's Bay, after retracing our steps Eastward some 3000 miles.

From Project Gutenberg

"By the deep four," shouted the leadsman.

From Project Gutenberg

"By the mark thirteen," sang out the leadsman, while almost directly afterwards his companion gave the cry, "And a half six."

From Project Gutenberg