Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia - n. In the life-saving
service, a light cord attached to a ball which is fired from a
gun or mortar so as to fall over a vessel in distress. By means
of the cord a heavier rope can then be hauled from the shore to
the vessel. In the United States service a cord of braided linen
is used. “Navy/AFP/Getty Images Nov. 27: A U.S. soldier shot a
shot-line to the Military Sealift Command ' s Fleet
Replenishment Oiler USNS Tippecanoe as it pulled alongside the
aircraft carrier USS George Washington in the waters west of the
Korean peninsula.” “He was the man who the winter before had
slipped a rope about his body, plunged into the surf and swam
out to the brig Gorgus and brought back three out of the five
men lashed to the rigging, all too benumbed to make fast the
shot-line fired across her deck.” “Holt made a spring from the
dune and came running toward Parks, who was now knotting the
shot-line about his waist.” “Suddenly, and while the men still
tugged at the track-ropes, keeping