The Collaborative International Dictionary
Jolly-boat \Jol"ly-boat`\ (j[o^]l"l[y^]*b[=o]t`), n. [A corruption of Dan. jolle yawl, or of D. jol yawl + E. boat. See Yawl the boat.] (Naut.) A boat of medium size belonging to a ship.
Usage examples of "jolly-boat".
If the pillar of smoke were visible at sunrise, and Walker could possibly manage to fire the boilers, Boyle suggested that some sailors in the jolly-boat should sound a channel along which the vessel itself might steam slowly towards Guanaco Hill.
Quite possibly, the rotten Patata was just being spiteful: forcing us to row in by jolly-boat rather than giving us an easier option.
The beam seemed to dance out from beneath him, but Alan was close enough to fling himself forward and grab onto one of the lash- ings that stood out from the nearest craft, the jolly-boat.
By the time he dropped into the jolly-boat the kedge had already been lowered into the red cutter, the best bower was hanging from the cathead, poised just over the launch, and fresh water was spouting over the side, lightening the ship at a great pace.
We then took the jolly-boat in tow, and returned to the brig, a strict watch being kept for fear that they should rescue the vessel from us.
During the first days, when the ship had to be lightened at great speed in case she should hog or break her back, being left suspended in the middle by the neap tides, all the skilled hands were employed dealing with the guns, and Martin, the purser and I were entrusted with the jolly-boat (a vile machine) to tow heavy casks ashore.
Hung about Stephen's neck and wrapped in waxed-silk bags, one inside the other - the replacement of a small and very beautiful repeating watch chimed two quarters and would have chimed a third had he not caught sight of the frigate's jolly-boat pulling fast into the contrary wind.