Earing

This article is about a sailing term. For an article of jewelry, see Earring. For the growth of maize, see Earing (Corn).

Dog-watches at sea

In sailing, an earing is a small line (rope) used to fasten the corner of a sail to a spar or yard.

Background

In the Age of Sail, a position at the Weather Earing (the earing at the windward side of the ship) was considered a place of honor for the topmen, and on a merchant ship was the position of the second mate during reefing.

External links

• "Dana's Seaman's friend". 1845.
• Dana, Richard Henry (1856). "The Nautical Magazine: A Technical and Critical Journal for the ..."