Out Oars

An order given in boat service where trailing oars are used, signifying that the crew are to ship their oars, prepared for pulling. To ship them the men reach over the side of the boat, grasp the oars by the handle, throw them into the rowlocks, and lift the blades out of the water, holding them horizontal and at right angles to the keel of the boat, the blades feathered. In this position they await the coxswain's next order.