[f. BOW sb.3 + -ER1: cf. three-decker, etc.]
1. The name of two anchors, the best-bower, and small-bower, carried at the bows of a vessel; also the cable attached to such anchor.
1709. Lond. Gaz., No. 4521/2. Our small Bower … was drove through our Ship’s Bow.
1748. Anson, Voy., I. vii. (ed. 4), 100. To cut their cable, and leave their best bower behind them.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), I b. Three good cables; the sheet cable, and the two bowers; best and small.
1842. Marryat, P. Keene, xxxix. 278. I shall back the best bower with the sheet, and let go the small bower at the same time.
1867. Smyth, Sailor’s Word-bk., 124. Starboard being the best bower, and port the small bower.
2. More fully called bower-anchor, -cable.
1652. Proc. Parliament, No. 142. 2223. My … best bower Ancher hooked in one of his Ports.
1748. Anson, Voy., II. ii. (ed. 4), 186. A violent gust of wind … instantly parted our small bower cable.
1772–84. Cook, Voy. (1790), VI. 2107. A great piece of ice … brought home the small bower anchor.
1837. Carlyle, Fr. Rev., I. IV. iv. 179. By sure bower-anchor hangs and swings the tight war-ship.
fig. 1823. Byron, Juan, XII. iii. Theirs is the best bower-anchor, the chain cable Which holds fast other pleasures.
1874. Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. lxxxix. 1. The divine faithfulness … is the bower anchor of the soul.
