I put a bunch of candles in my pocket-they were as hard as a parcel of marline-spikes-and took the lanthorn into the passage and inspected the next room.
"The Frozen Pirate"
W. Clark Russell
We had to return on board at night, to be ready for duty the next morning, for the frigate was now being rapidly fitted out Old Rough-and-Ready was in his true element, with a marline-spike hung round his neck, directing everywhere, and working away with his own hands.
"Paddy Finn"
W. H. G. Kingston
I took notice that he looked marline-spikes at Mr. Morton for paying so much attention to the girl.
"An Old Sailor's Yarns"
Nathaniel Ames