Even before the refurbishing began in 2003, though, Coast Guard engineers expressed doubts that the boats could bear the extra weight the changes would impose.

"By the last guns the boats were bearing away slightly to the south'ard."

On August 15, 1801,Nelson embarked on an ambitious plan to launch a boat borne raid against French shipping in the port.

We advanced with majestic slowness, escorted by the boats bearing the staff.

The bellicose boat was barely five metres from us, and bearing down remorselessly.

The boat would never have borne the weight of the three of them, plus the horses.

The boat could have borne us to a less pleasant place.

"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past."

A boat was bearing down on his position.

This boat was used in an Indiana Jones film and still bears the scars.