HARD-A-WEATHER! The order so to place the tiller as to bring the rudder on the lee-side of the stern-post, whichever way the tiller leads, in order to bear away; it is the position of the helm as opposed to [hard-a-lee] (which see). Also, a hardy seaman.
HARD BARGAIN. A useless fellow; a skulker.
HARD FISH. A term indiscriminately applied to cod, ling, haddock, torsk, &c., salted and dried.
HARD GALE. When the violence of the wind reduces a ship to be under her storm staysails, No. 10 force.
HARD-HEAD. The Clupea menhaden, or Alosa tyrannus, an oily fish taken in immense quantities on the American coasts, insomuch that they are used for manuring land. Also, on our coasts the father-lasher or sea-scorpion, Cottus scorpius, and in some parts the grey gurnard, are so called.
HARD-HORSE. A tyrannical officer.
HARDING. A light kind of duck canvas made in the north.
HARD UP. The tiller so placed as to carry the rudder close over to leeward of the stern-post. Also, used figuratively for being in great distress, or poverty-struck; obliged to bear up for Poverty Bay; cleared out.
HARD UP IN A CLINCH, and no Knife to cut the Seizing. Overtaken by misfortune, and no means of evading it.
HARDS. See [Acumba].