Limber chain

Limber Lim"ber (l[i^]m"b[~e]r), n. [For limmer, Icel. limar branches, boughs, pl. of lim; akin to E. limb. See {Limb} a branch.] 1. pl. The shafts or thills of a wagon or carriage. [Prov. Eng.] [1913 Webster]

2. (Mil.) The detachable fore part of a gun carriage, consisting of two wheels, an axle, and a shaft to which the horses are attached. On top is an ammunition box upon which the cannoneers sit. [1913 Webster]

3. pl. (Naut.) Gutters or conduits on each side of the keelson to afford a passage for water to the pump well. [1913 Webster]

{Limber boards} (Naut.), short pieces of plank forming part of the lining of a ship's floor immediately above the timbers, so as to prevent the limbers from becoming clogged.

{Limber box} or {Limber chest} (Mil.), a box on the limber for carrying ammunition.

{Limber rope}, {Limber chain} or {Limber clearer} (Naut.), a rope or chain passing through the limbers of a ship, by which they may be cleared of dirt that chokes them. --Totten.

{Limber strake} (Shipbuilding), the first course of inside planking next the keelson. [1913 Webster]