ˈflying ˈbridge
[f. flying ppl. a.]
† a. Used by Caxton to render Fr. pont-levis (draw-bridge). † b. (See quot. 1727 s.v. floating-bridge). c. A temporary bridge for military purposes, esp. (see quot. 1876).
| 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. ii. xxxv. K ij, Pount leveiz that be made faste therto whiche are called flyghyng brygges. 1675 Lond. Gaz. No. 1043/3 The Munster Troops..have repassed the Weser..over a Flying-bridge above this City. 1726 Cavallier Mem. iv. 340, I had but just cross'd the River upon a flying Bridge. 1876 Voyle Mil. Dict., Flying Bridge, consists of one or more barges moored by a long cable to a point in the centre of the stream. When the barge is properly steered in a current sufficiently strong, it is swept by it from one bank to the other. |
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Add: d. An auxiliary bridge on a ship or pleasure craft, situated higher than the main bridge; also = fly bridge (b) s.v. *fly n.2 8.
| 1909 Webster 840/1 Flying bridge, the highest bridge on a steamer, where there are more than one. 1921 Daily Colonist (Victoria, B.C.) 23 Oct. 1/5 Seas 120 feet high, towering sixty feet above the ship's flying bridge, swept aboard. 1948 T. Heggen Mister Roberts vii. 92 Sam was up on the flying bridge with the other signalmen and he was idly scanning the beach through the ship's telescope. 1976 Yachting World Oct. 6/3 (Advt.), Also flying bridge controlled, this yacht is equipped with S.S.B., R/T, [etc.]. 1985 B. Marsh Inland Navigator iii. 91 Some of the larger boats have a sundeck positioned on top of the superstructure in the after part of the boat, and occasionally this is combined with an open ‘flying bridge’ containing a second steering position. |