Box-hauling is a mode of turning a ship, when the swell of the sea renders tacking impossible, or when the ship is too near the shore to allow room for veering. The operation is effected by hauling the head-sheets to windward, bracing the head-yards aback, and squaring the after-yards, the helm at the same time being put alee. Boxing-off is a very similar operation.
Box-hauling
Chambers's Encyclopaedia, Volume 2: Beaugency to Cataract, p. 375
Source scan(s): p. 0386