lee gauge

alternative lee-gage · alternative lee gage

1. obsoleteuncountablegovernmentThe position of a sailing vessel leeward of another in battle, often restricting manoeuvrability and gunnery.

   The ship, or fleet, with the lee-gage could not attack ; if it did not wish to retreat, its action was confined to the defensive, and to receiving battle on the enemy’s terms.

   1890, Alfred Thayer Mahan, The Influence of Sea Power Upon History, 1660-1783, page 6

   1 more example

   In 1694, the 40-gun ship “Scarborough” was captured off Tory Island in very much the same manner as the “Anglesea,” that is, by the enemy taking the lee gauge ; and going back still further, the printed accounts of the Four Days’ Fight, in June, 1666, all dwell on the disadvantage which we were at by being to windward of the enemy.

   1896, J.K. Laughton, “The study of naval history”, in Journal of the Royal United Service Institution, Whitehall Yard, page 804

   Antonyms: weather gauge