The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'

Subject: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: GUEST,Robin Tell-Drake
Date: 06 Sep 19 - 02:06 PM

I'm thinking of Randy Dandy-O which I know from Tom Lewis, but I did see in similar form here: Randy Dandy Oh. "Soon we'll be driving her off down the hill," said of a ship afloat.

I feel like I heard an explanation of this phrase somewhere along the line, but I can't place what it means. Sailing a certain stretch is like going downhill because the winds are favorable, or something? Literally downhill because of a bulge in the geoid? It's just one more maritime reference that's familiar to my ear without my properly understanding it, and I keep hoping to catch up with those in the long run.

Thanks!

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: Backwoodsman
Date: 06 Sep 19 - 02:55 PM

I’ve assumed it means directly down-wind - the most efficient and speediest point of sailing for a square-rigger.

I could be wrong though - I recall being wrong once before...

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 07 Sep 19 - 10:31 AM

"I could be wrong though - I recall being wrong once before..."

Yaeh but that's when you thought you'd made a mistake.

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: GUEST,Starship
Date: 08 Sep 19 - 03:21 AM

Great site for nautical terms at the following link, but no joy regarding 'down the hill'. http://www.marinewaypoints.com/learn/glossary/glossary.shtml

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: Tattie Bogle
Date: 08 Sep 19 - 12:13 PM

Is that why, in the song, "Three Score and Ten" it's "from Yarmouth DOWN to Scarborough" when geographically speaking it's UP?! I've often puzzled over that one!

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: Snuffy
Date: 08 Sep 19 - 02:40 PM

Could "Down the hill" simply mean heading south (as on a map), and once you've rounded the Horn you'd be going uphill?

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: Lighter
Date: 08 Sep 19 - 04:12 PM

I seem to recall that that's the way Stan Hugill once explained it.

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: EBarnacle
Date: 08 Sep 19 - 11:17 PM

In three score and ten, I believe down refers to riding the prevailing wind, as in "Downeast" for Maine.

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: Bruce D
Date: 09 Sep 19 - 08:08 AM

In general, running downhill for sailing ships means that you have the wind from behind.

Another meaning (downhill run) is the last leg of a voyage and you are heading home.

It can also mean that in heavy sea going down the back of a wave quite dangerous if the wind is coming from the other direction.

Bruce D

(21 years at sea including Tall ships).

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: GUEST,Robin Tell-Drake
Date: 12 Sep 19 - 12:52 PM

Now you mention, that's one other spot I've heard it: David Crosby, in Southern Cross. I had a feeling I'd run across the notion elsewhere. "Downhill run."

Thanks!

R

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: Charley Noble
Date: 13 Sep 19 - 08:56 PM

Snuffy has it right. Going "down the hill" to a deep-water sailor meant heading south to Cape Horn or the Cape of Good Hope.

Cheerily,
Charlie Ipcar

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: JHW
Date: 16 Sep 19 - 12:17 PM

There's an advert for WWF on my screen today in this thread in the middle of the 9 Sept Bruce D post. (I'm a member anyway)
Never seen one IN a post before - see other threads on topic.

Subject: RE: The nautical meaning of 'down the hill'
From: Bruce D
Date: 24 Sep 19 - 07:38 AM

I've noticed a similar Ad in other threads, I don't subscribe or support WWF, so don't blame me.