dumb craft
[see dumb a. 8, craft 9.]
a. In some places = dumb barge. b. More particularly, A heavy boat, hulk, or ‘hopper’ without sail or propelling power, used for weighing up and raising sunken ships, or heavy matter from the sea-bottom or river-bed. (So in regular use on the Tyne.) c. ‘An instrument somewhat similar to the screw-jack, having wheels and pinions which protrude a ram, the point of which communicates the power.’ (Ogilvie.) ? Sc.
| 1867 Smyth Sailor's Word-bk., Dumb-craft, lighters, lamps, or punts, not having sails. Also, a name for the screws used for lifting a ship on a slip. |