The Collaborative International Dictionary
Top-hamper \Top"-ham`per\, n. (Naut.) The upper rigging, spars, etc., of a ship. [Written also top hamper.]
All the ships of the fleet . . . were so encumbered
with tophamper, so overweighted in proportion to their
draught of water, that they could bear but little
canvas, even with smooth seas and light and favorable
winds.
--Motley.
Usage examples of "top hamper".
Montmorency howled, and turned a somersault, and the top hamper jumped up, and all the things came out.
There had been a startled gasp from the mob at her appearance - well, dammit, she might as well have been stark naked, painted scarlet from the hips down and gilded across her top hamper.
The Lydia by virtue of her top hamper was going down to leeward fast upon the rolling hulk.
As they came to the bend a fresher gust set them sagging off to leeward, the wind acting powerfully on all the top hamper in the stern.
Freed from the overpowering leverage of her top hamper she had managed to recover —.
Freed from the overpowering leverage of her top hamper she had managed to recover - naval discipline and courage had won her a further chance of life during the few seconds which had been granted her while she lay on her beam ends.
Freed from the overpowering leverage of her top hamper she had managed to recover naval discipline and courage had won her a further chance of life during the few seconds which had been granted her while she lay on her beam ends.