leadsman
Definition
- Noun:
- A sailor who takes soundings: "leadsman" refers to a member of a ship's crew who uses a lead line (a weighted line) to measure the depth of water beneath the vessel. This is done to ensure safe navigation, especially in shallow or unfamiliar waters.
Usage Examples
- (The sailor measured the water depth using a lead line and announced the measurement.)
- (The crew member responsible for depth measurements took continuous soundings to avoid hitting the seabed.)
Advanced Usage
"to act as leadsman": to perform the duties of taking soundings.
- He was assigned to act as leadsman during the night watch. (He was given the task of measuring water depths.)
"leadsman's call": the shouted depth measurement made by the leadsman.
- The leadsman's call of "by the mark five" indicated a depth of five fathoms. (The sailor's announcement specified the water depth in nautical units.)
Variants and Related Words
Leadsman (plural: leadsmen): the term is the same in singular and plural forms, though "leadsmen" is used for multiple sailors.
- Two leadsmen were stationed at the bow to take turns sounding. (Two sailors performed the role alternately.)
Lead line (n): the weighted line used by a leadsman for depth measurement.
- The leadsman coiled the lead line carefully after each sounding. (The sailor prepared the measuring tool for reuse.)
Synonyms
- Soundman: a sailor who takes soundings (less common).
- Heaver: an archaic term for a sailor using a lead line.
Related Idioms
"No leadsman needed": a phrase indicating that the water is deep enough to require no depth measurements.
- The captain declared, "No leadsman needed; we have clear charts." (The water was safe, so soundings were unnecessary.)
"Leadsman's depth": a specific measurement of water depth, often used in nautical logs.
- The leadsman's depth was recorded as twenty fathoms. (The measured water depth was documented.)