ABREAST

This term more particularly regards the line of battle at sea, where, on the different occasions of attack, retreat, or pursuit, the several divisions of a fleet are obliged to vary their dispositions, and yet maintain a proper regularity by sailing in right or curved lines. When the line is formed abreast, the whole squadron advances uniformly, the ships being equally distant from, and parallel to each other, so that the length of each ship forms a right angle with the extent of the squadron or line abreast. The commander in chief is always stationed in the centre, and the second and third in command in the centres of their respective divisions. See this further illustrated in the article LINE.

ABREAST, within the ship, implies on a line with the beam, or by the side of any object aboard; as, the frigate sprung a leak abreast of the main hatch-way, i. e. on the same line with the main hatch-way, crossing the ship's length at right angles, in opposition to afore or abaft the hatch-way. See ABAFT.

We discovered a fleet ABREAST of Beachy Head, i. e. off, or directly opposite to it.

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