[TO ens EDITOR OF sae "SPECTATOR. " ]
Sin,—Regarding the phrase " under way " the following extracts from "The Sailor's Word Book," by the late Admiral W. H. Smyth, revised by Vice-Admiral Sir E. Belcher, 1867, may be of interest :—
" UNDER WAY : A ship beginning to move under her canvas after her anchor is started. Some have written this under weigh, but improperly. A ship is under weigh when she has weighed her anchor ; she may be with or without canvas, or hove-to. As soon as she gathers way she is under way. This is a moot point with old seamen."
" WAY I Way is often used for wake. Thus when she begins her motion she is said to be under way ; and when the motion increases, to have fresh-way through the water. Hence, also, she is said to have head-way," &o.
"WEIGH, To [from the Anglo-Saxon woeg]: To move or carry. Applied to heaving up the anchor," &c.
—I am, Sir, &o., P. J. H. UNNA.
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