The sea-mans dictionary, or, An exposition and demonstration of all the parts and things belonging to a shippe together with an explanation of all the termes and phrases used in the practique of navigation / composed by Henry Manwaring ...

Tides.

This word Tide, is common both to Ebbe, and flow, for it is called Tide of Ebbe, as well as Tide of Flood: A wind-ward-Tide, is when the Tide runnes against wind, then the Sea breakes most, and goes highest; but a Ship, or Anchor straines the Cabels leaft a Lee-ward-Tide, that is, when the Tide and wind goes both one way, then the Sea is smoother: A Tide-gate, that is, where the Tide runnes strong. To Tide it over, or up to a place, that is, to goe with the Tide of Flood, or Ebbe, and so stop the contrary Tide at an Anchor, till the same Tide come againe: and this is used, when the wind is contrary, but doth not over-blowe: for then they cannot stop at an Anchor, and if they keep under-saile, they will loose more in one Lee-ward-Tide, then they shall get in two wind-ward-Tides: when they say, it flowes Tide, and halfe-Tide in any place, the meaning of it is thus: (for the speech is most improper to common understanding, implying as much as if it did flow a Tide and a halfe in some places together, and but halfe an Ebb.) that the Tide doth runne three houres (which is foure points, longer in the offing then it doth by the shore: by longer, is not meant more houres (for it doth ever Ebb and Flow six houres) but thus, if it be high∣water, at the shore, at twelve a Clock it shall not be high-water in the offing till it be three a Clock, (which is the compasse and time for the running of halfe a Tide) so according as it Ebbs or Flowes more, they

say it tunnes Tide, halfe, and halfe quarter (that is, five points) when they come into a Harbour, or over a Stand, they say, they will bring their Tide with them, that is, to come with the flood, which may carry them over: Note that where it flowes Tide, and halfe-Tide, that though the Tide of slood run aloft, yet the Tide of Ebb runnes under-foot, that is, close by the ground: And so for the tide of Ebb, it will flow under-foot.