ˈstern-ˈchase Naut.
[f. stern n.3 + chase n.1]
1. A chase in which the pursuing ship follows directly in the wake of the pursued.
| 1627 Capt. Smith Sea Gram. xii. 57 If he be right a-head of you, that is called a Stern-chase. 1722 De Foe Col. Jack (1840) 298 We gave them [the other ships] what they call a stern chase, and they worked hard to come up with us. 1915 Land & Water 14 Aug. 36*/2 The German battle-cruisers..had a fourteen-miles start of the British squadron, and Admiral Beatty settled down at once to a stern chase at top speed. |
| Proverb. 1849 Lever Con Cregan I. xx. 331 The sailor's adage says ‘that a stern chase is a long chase,’ and so it is. |
b. transf.| 1863 W. C. Baldwin Afr. Hunting vi. 182 Swartz and Kleinboy were soon in the saddle, and the former killed a fat cow [giraffe], after a very long stern chase. |
2. The chase (
chase n.1 6) or chase-guns arming the stern of a war-ship. ?
Obs.| 1679 Observ. Last Dutch Wars 10 Let us keep our Stern chace out against another Enemy. 1748 Anson's Voy. iii. viii. 501 The galeon returned the fire with two of her stern⁓chace. 1798 in Nicolas Disp. Nelson (1846) VII. p. clx, The Tonnant firing into her [the Majestic's] quarter with her stern chase raked her with great effect. |
| attrib. 1790 Beatson Nav. & Milit. Mem. II. 317 Captain Jekyl..was obliged to fire from both broadsides and stern⁓chase guns at the same time. |