marling-spike

Nothing in him; no substance, madam; I knew him as a youngster, and I could have tossed him on a marling-spike.

Mary Anerley Richard Doddridge 2004

"Haul down my yard-arm with a marling-spike!" cried the Artist.

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 100, May 9, 1891 Various

Well, we got within reach of England when the wind began to blow, and before I could hitch myself up with a marling-spike, every man Jack of us was ready for Davy Jones's locker!

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, October 3, 1891 Various

But, I say, I do know something of yachting, and that isn't the way to brace up the marling-spike to the fokesell yard with the main jibboom three points in a wind with some East in it!

Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 101, July 4, 1891 Various

'Damn me!' cried he in a gust of rage, 'if I can't teach it to doctors, I'll teach _seamen_ who gives orders here!' and snatching out a marling-spike from a sheath in his belt, hurled it full at the seaman's head.

Foe-Farrell Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch 1903

The marling-spike, miss-aimed, struck the thwart in front of him, turned point up with the ricochet, and plunged into his thigh.

Foe-Farrell Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch 1903

As far as I have observed they know nothing about marling-spike seamanship, strapping blocks, fitting rigging, etc.

From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life 1877

However skilless, they cannot help reproducing, any more than water poured from an old ink-bottle can help coming out more or less black; although, if sufficiently pretentious, they can monstrously caricature, especially if they begin with the modest time-worn admission that they are more familiar with the marling-spike than with the pen.

From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life 1877

My most susceptible years were colored by the still lingering traditions of the sail period, and of the "marling-spike seaman;" not that I, always clumsy with my fingers, had any promise of ever distinguishing myself with the marling-spike.

From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life 1877

The navigation of a ship thus equipped was a field of seamanship apart from that of the marling-spike; but the men who sailed her to all parts of the earth were expected to be able to do all the preliminary work themselves, often did do it, and considered it quite as truly a part of their business as the handling her at sea.

From Sail to Steam, Recollections of Naval Life 1877