hamper \ham"per\, n. see hamper to shackle.
   1. a shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. --w. browne.
      1913 webster

   2. naut. articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way
      at certain times. --ham. nav. encyc.
      1913 webster

   top hamper naut., unnecessary spars and rigging kept
      aloft.
      1913 webster
see also:
hamper top hamper 

top-hamper \top"-ham`per\, n. naut.
   the upper rigging, spars, etc., of a ship. written also top
   hamper.
   1913 webster

         all the ships of the fleet . . . were so encumbered
         with tophamper, so overweighted in proportion to their
         draught of water, that they could bear but little
         canvas, even with smooth seas and light and favorable
         winds.                                   --motley.
   1913 webster
see also:
top hamper