unreeving

I cut no more than was necessary, and what with passing the long ropes under and around the booms and masts, of unreeving the halyards and sheets, of coiling down in the boat and uncoiling in order to pass through another knot in the bight, I was soon wet to the skin.

Chapter 34 2010

All this time, I was busily working, unreeving the port buntline.

The Ghost Pirates 2007

The MASTER will cause the persons in his division to sling the yards and gaffs, to stopper the topsail sheets, to lead out the preventer and other braces, and will see that they are clear, and toggled, to prevent them from unreeving.

Ordnance Instructions for the United States Navy. 1866. Fourth edition. United States. Navy Dept. Bureau of Ordnance

All hands were then sent aloft, and for an hour or two we were hard at work, making the booms well fast; unreeving the studding-sail and royal and skysail gear; getting rolling-ropes on the yards; setting up the weather breast-backstays; and making other preparations for a storm.

Chapter XXV. Rumors of War-A Spouter-Slipping for a South-Easter-A Gale 1909

All this time, I was busily working, unreeving the port buntline.

The Ghost Pirates: Chapter 4 1909

He had hardly been on board long enough for them to know much about him, but he had taken hold strong, as soon as he took command; —sending down the top-gallant masts, and unreeving half the rigging, the very first day.

Chapter XX. Leisure-News from Home-“Burning the Water” 1909

I cut no more than was necessary, and what with passing the long ropes under and around the booms and masts, of unreeving the halyards and sheets, of coiling down in the boat and uncoiling in order to pass through another knot in the bight, I was soon wet to the skin.

Chapter 34 1904

The resonant hammering of a coffin-lid is no pleasant thing to hear, but those who have experience maintain that much more terrible is the soft swish of the bed-linen, the reeving and unreeving of the bed-tapes, when he who has fallen by the roadside is apparelled for burial, sinking gradually as the tapes are tied over, till the swaddled shape touches the floor and there is no protest against the indignity of hasty disposal.

Life's Handicap Rudyard Kipling 1900

I cut no more than was necessary, and what with passing the long ropes under and around the booms and masts, of unreeving the halyards and sheets, of coiling down in the boat and uncoiling in order to pass through another knot in the bight, I was soon wet to the skin.

The Sea Wolf Jack London 1896

This he conveyed on deck, and, unreeving as much of the running-gear as he could get at, a good long warp was made by bending the whole together end to end.

The Missing Merchantman Harry Collingwood 1886