Sailor Speak of the Week – Easting

Definition

Noun

• The distance traveled or sailed eastward.

Origin

Probably earlier than the 17th century.

Comments

Ships traveling to Australia via the Cape of the Good Hope, or traveling from Australia to the North Atlantic via Cape Horn were said to be “running their easting down.”

References

King, D., Hattendorf, J.B, & Estes, J.W. (1997). A Sea of Words: A Lexicon and Companion for Patrick O’Brian’s Seafaring Tales (2nd Ed.). Owl Books.

Rogers, J.G. (1985). Origins of Sea Terms. Mystic Seaport.