topmast-head

• “Sometimes we sank between two waves that rose on each side higher than our topmast-head, and threatened by dashing together to overwhelm us in a moment!”

  The Adventures of Roderick Random

• “I see," he said; "it's springing up from the south'ard;" and, pacing the deck to and fro, he would also turn his eyes to the topmast-head every time he reached the quarter-deck of the vessel, to mark if the night-flag moved.”

  A Yacht Voyage to Norway, Denmark, and Sweden 2nd edition

• “_ -- At daybreak the look-out at the topmast-head perceived a vessel on the lee quarter, at such a distance as to be scarcely visible; but her locality being pronounced "very suspicious," the order was given to bear up for her.”

  Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine — Volume 55, No. 342, April, 1844

• “If the fleet is sailing by a wind in a line of battle, and the admiral would have them brace their headsails to the mast, he will hoist a yellow flag on the flagstaff at the mizen topmast-head, and fire a gun; which the flagships in the fleet are to answer.”

  Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX.

• “When the admiral would have the red squadron draw into a line of battle, abreast of one another, he will put abroad a flag striped red and white on the flagstaff at the main topmast-head, with a pennant under it, and fire a gun.”

  Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX.

• “If the fleet be sailing before the wind, and the admiral would have the vice-admiral and the ships of the starboard quarter to clap by the wind, and come to the starboard tack, then he will hoist upon the mizen topmast-head a red flag.”

  Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX.

• “If the admiral hoist up a white flag at the mizen yard-arm or topmast-head all the small frigates of his squadron are to come under his stern for orders.”

  Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX.

• “If the admiral hoist up a white flag at the mizen yard-arm or topmast-head, all the small frigates in his squadron are to come under his stern for orders.”

  Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX.

• “If at any time while we are engaged with the enemy, the admiral shall judge it proper to come to a closer engagement than at the distance we then are, he will hoist a red and white flag on the flagstaff at the main topmast-head, and fire a gun.”

  Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX.

• “When the admiral would have the van of his fleet to tack first, the admiral will put abroad the union flag at the staff of the fore topmast-head if the red flag be not abroad; but if the red flag be abroad then the fore topsail shall be lowered a little, and the union flag shall be spread from the cap of the fore topmast downwards.”

  Fighting Instructions, 1530-1816 Publications Of The Navy Records Society Vol. XXIX.

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