floating ppl DC ~ surrogate Nfld (1819, 1964).
   In comb floating governor: naval officer in command of the convoy of English migratory fishing ships, exercising powers of civil jurisdiction during the fishing season.
   1895 PROWSE 254 Sir John Leake, Rodney, Duckworth, Graves, Lord Radstock, &c., are amongst the honoured names of Newfoundland's floating governors [between 1728 and 1817].
   floating stage: a buoyant platform for working on the hull of a vessel.
   P 94-57 ~ platform made of casks for working on the hull of schooner. 1966 PADDOCK 98 ~ A wooden platform supported by empty oil drums or logs [which] is a fairly common sight on both salt and fresh water in the Carbonear area.
   floating surrogate: naval officer empowered to hold courts in civil cases on authority delegated by the naval governor; SURROGATE.
   [1811] 1957 Nfld Qtly Mar, p. 21 Floating Surrogate Court opened in Trinity. 1842 BONNYCASTLE i, 137 These officers were called 'floating surrogates,' and, as may be imagined, administered the law after the naval code. 1915 HOWLEY 178 During the year 1820 Buchan acted as floating Surrogate in the Egeria at Harbour Grace, and administered justice in conjunction with the Rev Mr Leigh.
   floating trawl: a type of trawl with an anchor at each end and the trawl-line stretched horizontal under the surface of the water (1971 NOSEWORTHY 201).
   1979 Salt Water, Fresh Water 30 The floating trawl would have floats on it to keep it up in the water so the fish, if they were moving, would get the bait that way and get caught.

Go Back