dead a Combs ~ box: seaman's wooden chest; ~ head wind: at sea, a breeze straight ahead.
   1983 PEDDLE 99 Occasionally a large pine travelling box...is found in the outports. It is generally believed that these were used by the skippers of schooners... On the Port de Grave peninsula they are often referred to as 'dead boxes,' by those who surmise they served a dual purpose. 1987 POOLE 13 As we got out, the wind seemed to draw in through the bight so we had to beat a dead head wind. When the Captain decided to tack and bring her on a starboard tack the vessel was doing fine, but when she got close enough to the land on the southern side of Spear Harbour Bight she [mis-stayed] and went ashore again.

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