Foul (nautical)

Foul (nautical)

Foul is a nautical term meaning to entangle or entwine, and more generally that something is wrong or difficult. The term dates back to usage with wind-driven sailing ships.

Fouled anchor

It is usually applied to the state of an anchor, which has become hooked on some impediment on the ground, or has its cable wound round the stock or flukes. The term is generally utilized when speaking of items of historical value such as the US Navy Chief Petty Officer emblem. [http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/terms0101.htm] The fouled anchor is also the official seal of the Lord High Admiral of Britain, presently HM Queen Elizabeth II, and is flown on the ship carrying the monarch to sea. It is also flown during the launching of a warship of the Royal Navy.

*Example: "It took me forever to untangle the anchor line. It was all fouled up!"

Other usage

The term can be applied to many nautical situations:
*Foul hawse - when the a ship lying to two anchors gets the cables crossed.
*Foul bottom - when the hull of ship is so encrusted with weeds and marine growth as to impede her progress.
*Foul wind - when a strong head wind prevents a sailing ship from keeping her desired course.

References

*"The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea", Oxford [1976] , edited by Peter Kemp. ISBN 0 586 08308 1


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