Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun Nautical, a small pump placed at the bow of a vessel, with the lower end communicating with the sea, used chiefly for washing decks.
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
Support
Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word head-pump.
Examples
-
Then we pumped with the feeble head-pump, drew water with buckets, and in this way managed in time to pour lots of Indian Ocean into the main hatch.
-
An hour or two, we were kept at this work, when the head-pump was manned, and all the sand washed off the decks and sides.
-
The head-pump was then rigged, and the decks washed down by the second and third mates; the chief mate walking the quarter-deck and keeping a general supervision, but not deigning to touch a bucket or a brush.
-
From such reflections as these, I was aroused by the order from the officer, Forward there! rig the head-pump!
-
Then we pumped with the feeble head-pump, drew water with buckets, and in this way managed in time to pour lots of Indian Ocean into the main hatch.
-
Then we pumped with the feeble head-pump, drew water with buckets, and in this way managed in time to pour lots of Indian Ocean into the main hatch.
Youth, a Narrative Joseph Conrad 1890
-
This made Tom Bullover and the other hands bustle about on the fo'c's'le, although buckets had to be lowered over the side aft to wash down the decks with, so as to clear away all the volcano dust that was still lying about, for the head-pump could not be used as usual on account of the forepart of the ship being high and dry.
The Island Treasure 1887
-
"The hose is rigged and the head-pump manned, sir."
The Island Treasure 1887
-
He had not gone below when his watch was relieved, and being attracted by the row, was now preparing for emergencies by rigging a hose on to the head-pump, so that this could be at once passed down into the hold if necessary -- the first-mate being too frightened to do anything, even to reply to the captain when he spoke.
The Island Treasure 1887
-
But I had slept like a log, and felt thoroughly refreshed; I therefore went out on deck, and betook myself forward to the eyes of the ship, where I stripped and indulged in the luxury of a shower-bath under the head-pump.
A Middy in Command A Tale of the Slave Squadron Harry Collingwood 1886
Comments
Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.