Weather Gauge

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Weather Gauge

WEATHER GAUGE. In the days of fighting sail, maneuvering to obtain and to hold the weather gauge was of prime importance in naval engagements because it allowed the ship that possessed it to dictate the terms of the engagement. A ship was said to have the weather gage, or "the advantage of the wind," when she could steer straight for an opponent while the latter would have to tack into the wind.

                           revised by Harold E. Selesky