1627 J. Smith ix. 40 When they would lie obscurely in the Sea, or stay for some consort, [they] lash sure the helme a lee, and so a good ship will lie at ease vnder the Sea as wee terme it.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher 706 Under the sea, a ship lying-to in a heavy gale, and making bad weather of it.