lanch (v. t.) To throw, as a lance; to let fly; to launch.
Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary📕
lanch Same as Launch
Marine DictionaryUniversal Dictionary of the Marine⚓️
lanch a peculiar sort of long-boat, used by the French, Spanish, and
Italian shipping; and in general by those of other European nations,
when employed in voyaging in the Mediterranean sea.A lanch is proportionably longer, lower, and more flat-bottomed than the
long-boat; it is by consequence less fit for sailing, but better
calculated for rowing and approaching a flat shore. Its principal
superiority to the long-boat, however, consists in being, by its
construction, much fitter to under-run the cable, which is a very
necessary employment in the harbours of the Levant sea, where the cables
of different ships are fastened across each other, and frequently render
this exercise extremely necessary.
lanch is also the movement by which a ship or boat descends from the
shore, either when she is at first built, or at any time afterwards.To facilitate the operation of lanching, and prevent any interruption
therein, the ship is supported by two strong platforms, laid with a
gradual inclination to the water, on the opposite sides of her keel, to
which they are parallel. Upon the surface of this declivity are placed
two corresponding ranges of planks, which compose the base of a frame
called the cradle, whose upper-part envelops the ship’s bottom,
whereto it is securely attached. Thus the lower surface of the cradle,
conforming exactly to that of the frame below, lies flat upon it,
lengthways, under the opposite sides of the ship’s bottom; and as the
former is intended to slide downwards upon the latter, carrying the ship
along with it, the planes or faces of both are well daubed with soap and
tallow.The necessary preparations for the lanch being made, all the blocks and
wedges, by which the ship was formerly supported, are driven out from
under her keel, till her whole weight gradually subsides upon the
platforms above described, which are accordingly called the ways. The
shores and stanchions by which she is retained upon the stocks till
the period approaches for lanching, are at length cut away, and the
screws applied to move her, if necessary. The motion usually begins on
the instant when the shores are cut, and the ship slides downward along
the ways, which are generally prolonged under the surface of the water,
to a sufficient depth, to float her as soon as she arrives at the
farthest end thereof.When a ship is to be lanched, the ensign, jack, and pendant, are always
hoisted, the last being displayed from a staff erected in the middle of
the ship. Plate V. fig. 4. represents a ship of war ready to be lanched
from the stocks.The largest ship that ever was lanched in England, is the Britannia, of
100 guns, built at Portsmouth. Ships of the first rate are commonly
constructed in dry docks, and afterwards floated out, by throwing open
the flood-gates, and suffering the tide to enter, as soon as they are
finished.
lanch the order to let go the top-rope, after any top mast is
fidded.
Military DictionaryMilitary Dictionary and Gazetteer💥
lanch To throw, as a lance; to dart; to let fly. To pierce with a
lance, or as with a lance; to wound. Written also launch.
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