weather-earing

He was no coward though; and no skulker in danger, as some white-livered chaps are who ought to be ashamed to ship as sailors, for he'd venture aloft sometimes when no one else would dare, and was the first man at the weather-earing when it was ` Reef topsails! '

Picked up at Sea The Gold Miners of Minturne Creek

Asking nothing by word or look, he proved himself under her eyes -- first on deck; first in the rigging; the best man at a weather-earing; the best at the wheel; quick, obedient, intelligent, and respectful, winning the admiration of his mates, the jealous ill will of the officers, but no sign of interest or approval from her until to-night -- the ninety-second day of the passage.

"Where Angels Fear to Tread" and Other Stories of the Sea Morgan Robertson 1888

He was a shrewd observer of men and things, this new friend of mine, and I believe understood "by the cut of his jib" that Rupert was not likely to make a weather-earing man.

Afloat and Ashore A Sea Tale James Fenimore Cooper 1820

I passed the weather-earing of the mizen-top-sail when we had been out a fortnight, and went to those of the fore and main before we crossed the line.

Afloat and Ashore A Sea Tale James Fenimore Cooper 1820

To be sure, your Honour, the fellow is something contradictory and has a great opinion of his strength and thinks his equal is not to be found at a weather-earing or in the bunt of a topsail; but then he is no better than a black, and one is not to be too particular in looking into the faults of such as are not actually his fellow creatures. "

The Red Rover James Fenimore Cooper 1820