#the sailors word book

Again the topsails were hoisted and top-gallant sheets home. It was a strong breeze, although the water was smooth, and the Aurora dashed through at the rate of eight miles an hour, with her weather leeches lifting.

— Frederick Marryat, Mr. Midshipman Easy

“The quarter-master during ordinary watches conns the ship, and stands beside the wheel at the conn, unless close-hauled, when his station is at the weather side, where he can see the weather-leeches of the sails,” wrote Admiral William H. Smyth in his Sailor’s Word-Book.

Leeches are the borders or edges of sails, and those on the weather side are facing the wind (the opposite of lee).

The Blackwall Frigate ‘Yorkshire’, British School 19th century.