(a sea-term) side by side, or opposite to; a situation in which two or more ships lie, with their sides parallel to each other, and their heads equally advanced. This term more particularly regards the line of battle at sea, where, on the different occasions of attack, retreat, or pursuit, the several squadrons or divisions of a fleet are obliged to vary their dispositions, and yet maintain a proper regularity by failing in right or curved lines. When the line is formed abreast, the whole squadron advances uniformly, the ships being equally distant from and parallel to each other, so that the length of each ship forms a right angle with the extent of the squadron or line abreast. The commander-in-chief is always stationed in the center, and the second and third in command in the centers of their respective squadrons. —Abreast, within the ship, implies on a line with the beam, or by the side of any object aboard; as, the frigate springing a leak abreast of the main hatch-way, i.e., on the same line with the main hatch-way, crossing the ship's length at right angles, in opposition to afore or astern the hatch-way. We discovered a fleet abreast of Beachy-head; i.e., off, or directly opposite to it.