An Universal Dictionary of the Marine / Or, a Copious Explanation of the Technical Terms and Phrases Employed in the Construction, Equipment, Furniture, Machinery, Movements, and Military Operations of a Ship. Illustrated With Variety of Original Designs of Shipping, in Different Situations; Together With Separate Views of Their Masts, Sails, Yards, and Rigging. to Which Is Annexed, a Translation of the French Sea-terms and Phrases, Collected from the Works of Mess. Du Hamel, Aubin, Saverien, &c.

by William Falconer

LÉ, the fair way of a channel, harbour, or river.

LEBESCHE, the south-west wind, in the dialect of Provence.

LEGE, light, without a cargo of any kind; understood also of a ship which is not sufficiently ballasted.

LEST, a general name for any sort of ballast.

Lest bon, or bon Lest, good ballast, or ballast which lies firmly in the hold, without disordering the pumps; as shingle, gravel, &c.

Lest de plongeurs, a weight used by the divers in the coral-fishery: it is fastened securely to their waists, to balance them in the water, and keep them steady, so as to traverse the waves easily, without being tossed about.

Lest gros, or gros Lest, heavy ballast, composed of large stones, or pigs of iron.

Lest lavé, washed shingle ballast.

Lest mauvais, bad ballast, as sand, salt, &c.

Le Lest roule, the ballast shifts.