This will fox you??????????

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AlJones

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How many of you, hand on heart could say off your tongue, and without looking it up in a dictionary, can define the meaning of the word

'SCEND'

often used in common sailing parlance down our way. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
 
Being lifted by the scend (suppose this is where ascending and descending came from)

We used it in survey measurements aka heave
 
I know there was a Geoffrey Jenkins book called the "The scend of the sea" because it's on the bookshelf beside me......... not that helps really.

Just thought I'd mention it! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
We usually get warnings about it when a strong North Easterly is expected for several days following a very deep depression. The harbour being long and narrow and with an entrance facing NE tends to have a build up of water level with periodic abrupt lowering of surface level. The level 'ascends' and then 'descends'. It can get quite nasty in Lampedusa; fishing boats actually move out into the open sea to avoid it.
 
The "Scend" of the sea I have often thought was associated with the power of waves close to land. My two dictionaries conflict in that Collins suggests it is similar to Swash (a Swashway being a body of moving water) as in "Swashbuckler" (gets worse dunnit?) and Chambers refers you to send where it suggests it is " to pitch into a trough of the sea)
I wonder if it has any connection to "fetch" as in a long fetch of water. O gawd I give up...... I think it means what you want it to mean...... I think it's a Scend-up....
/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
I asked that way back, and got this (amongst other) response from BilboBaggins (hope you don't mind me repeating your post, BB)

"It's usually related to the 'in-harbour' effects of big seas running into an anchorage or harbour. In some places - e.g. Ilfracombe - the incoming sea surges around the harbour walls, and can be greatest in the furthest corner, where there would seem to be greatest shelter.

'Scend' reflects the vertical motion imparted to a boat, and 'surge' relates to the horizontal. There is consequent great strain put onto mooring lines, deck hardware, and the rubbing strakes/ GRP topsides of those boats not adequately equipped. Expensive damage is common.

Many harbours become untenable when big seas arrive from specific directions - e.g. Alderney/Braye, Mevagissey - and it pays to read the pilot notes in Macmillans - and ask the HM - early. "

Any good?

Pops
 
Sorry guy's been away!

I heard this word the other week, and I was told it's common in our part of the world.

Been on the scene for 25 or so years, and never had come across it. Thanks to all who answered, I have learnt a new word. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I found it written in the new RYA training almanac aswell!!!

A new generation on their way through with old terminology!!!!

It is as many of you have stated, a swell, a combination of ascend and descend etc etc.......

Thanks again

Al /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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