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A Floating City, and The Blockade Runners
A Floating City, and The Blockade Runners

Chapter XXXIII · “Getting Under Sail.”

Cover illustration for A Floating City, and The Blockade Runners
Context Illustration Reading 1/20 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

A Floating City, and The Blockade Runners

Chapter XXXIII · “Getting Under Sail.”

Reading 1/20 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.
Line 2
She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.
Line 3
Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.
Line 4
Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.
Line 5
The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

Along preposition US /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading “The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.”

Captain noun US /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading “Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.”

Ever noun US /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.”

Towards preposition US /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading “Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.”

Wind noun US /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.”

Yet conjunction US /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading “The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.”

All words in this reading · 77

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

almost

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

alongprepositionUS /əˈlɔːŋ/

following the length of something from one end toward the other

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

American

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

andeterminerUS /æn/

the form of “a” used before a word that begins with a vowel sound

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

asconjunctionUS /æz/

at the same time that; because; in the way that

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

boat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

builder

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

butconjunctionUS /bʌt/

used to introduce something that contrasts with what came before

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

captainnounUS /ˈcaptain/

a story-specific word describing an important person, object, action, or idea in this passage

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

carried

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

Clyde

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

December

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

didauxiliary verbUS /dɪd/

the past form of “do”, used in questions and negatives

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

doauxiliary verbUS /duː/

used to form questions and negatives, and to give emphasis

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

Dolphin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

end

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

engines

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

English

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

equipped

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

escape

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

evernounUS /ever/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

fact

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

Federalists

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

fit

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

French

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

gulf

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

herdeterminerUS /hɜːr/

belonging to a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

hour

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

impossible

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

isauxiliary verbUS /ɪz/

the form of “be” used with he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

itpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

log

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

luxury

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

made

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

miles

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

most

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

new

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

nodeterminerUS /noʊ/

not any; not one

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

notadverbUS /nɑːt/

used to make a word, phrase, or sentence negative

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

obtained

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

orconjunctionUS /ɔːr/

used to join alternatives or possibilities

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

patent

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

powerful

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

rapidly

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

rather

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

ready

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

rely

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

rigging

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

satisfied

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

say

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

schooner-masts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

seventeen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

ShepronounUS /ʃiː/

a woman, girl, or female animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

shot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

showed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

speed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

steamer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

ThedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

three

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

toparticleUS /tuː/

used before the base form of a verb to make the infinitive

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

TowardsprepositionUS /təˈwɔːrdz/

in the direction of

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

trial

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Towards the end of December a trial of the steamer was made in the gulf of the Clyde.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

useless

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading The “Dolphin” was rapidly equipped, her rigging was ready, and there was nothing to do but fit her up.

WhichpronounUS /wɪtʃ/

used to introduce a clause giving more about a thing just mentioned

From this reading Which was the most satisfied, builder or captain, it is impossible to say.

windnounUS /wind/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading She carried three schooner-masts, an almost useless luxury; in fact, the “Dolphin” did not rely on the wind to escape the Federalists, but rather on her powerful engines.

wonderfully

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.

yetconjunctionUS /jet/

but in spite of that

From this reading The new steamer shot along wonderfully, and the patent log showed a speed of seventeen miles an hour, a speed which as yet no English, French, or American boat had ever obtained.