Pontoon
[pɒn'tuːn] or [pɑn'tun]
Definition
(noun.) a float supporting a seaplane.
(noun.) (nautical) a floating structure (as a flat-bottomed boat) that serves as a dock or to support a bridge.
Edited by Henry--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) A wooden flat-bottomed boat, a metallic cylinder, or a frame covered with canvas, India rubber, etc., forming a portable float, used in building bridges quickly for the passage of troops.
(n.) A low, flat vessel, resembling a barge, furnished with cranes, capstans, and other machinery, used in careening ships, raising weights, drawing piles, etc., chiefly in the Mediterranean; a lighter.
Typed by Lesley
Definition
n. a flat kind of boat used in forming a bridge for the passage of an army: a bridge of boats: a lighter or barge used for loading or unloading ships—also Pon′ton.—ns. Pontonier′ Pontonnier′ one who has charge of a pontoon; Pontoon′-bridge a platform or roadway supported upon pontoons.
Typed by Angelo
Examples
- The army was not accompanied by a pontoon train, and at that time the troops were not instructed in bridge building. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- This, if my memory serves me correctly, broke through the only pontoon bridge we had in all our march across the peninsula. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- This was speedily fortified, while a detail was laying the pontoon bridge. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- This column took their pontoon bridges with them, to enable them to cross over to the island south of the city of Wilmington. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Preparations were at once commenced for laying the pontoon bridges and crossing the river. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Blair was ordered to join him there with the pontoon train as early as possible. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- Sherman reached Bridgeport about noon of the 17th and found Blair with the pontoon train already there. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- If there is a point below City Point where a pontoon bridge can be thrown, have it laid. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- As soon as enough troops were over to guard the ford, pontoons were laid and the artillery and the rest of the troops crossed. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The work of ferrying over Sherman's command from the north side of the Tennessee was at once commenced, using the pontoons for the purpose. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- No quarter is to be given to the English, on account of their cruelty to our braves on board the infamous pontoons. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- There were now one hundred and sixteen pontoons in the North Chickamauga River, their presence there being unknown to the enemy. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- On this day I wrote to Halleck ordering all the pontoons in Washington to be sent to City Point. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The tube, when in position, was lowered down upon its bearings on the pier by opening valves in the pontoons, which thus sunk sufficiently to ease them of their load. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- It rained all the 20th and 21St. The river rose so rapidly that it was difficult to keep the pontoons in place. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
- The spectators seemed spellbound, for no shouts or exclamations were heard, as all watched anxiously the silent course of the heavily freighted pontoons. Frederick C. Bakewell. Great Facts.
- At three o'clock on the morning of the 27th, Hazen moved into the stream with his sixty pontoons and eighteen hundred brave and well-equipped men. Ulysses S. Grant. Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant.
Editor: Priscilla