after-guard Naut.
(ˈɑːftəgɑːd, æ-)
[after- 4 b.]
‘The men who are stationed on the quarter-deck and poop, to work the after sails. Generally composed of ordinary seamen and landsmen, constituting, with waisters, the largest part of the crew, on whom the principal drudgery of the ship devolved.’ Adm. Smyth.
| 1801 Knight & Mason IV. v. 60 Darby Drumconda, one of the after-guard. 1826 H. N. Coleridge 6 Months in W. Indies 277 Even first lieutenants of the navy are generally sent into the after⁓guard. 1833 Marryat Pet. Simple (1863) 89 Now, captain of the afterguard, bring a piece of old canvass and some sand here, and clean his teeth nicely. 1927 J. Sampson 7 Seas Shanty Bk. 43 If sung in proper time, it is not looked upon with favour by the afterguard. |