lay alongside sth meaning

[American slang]
[for a ship] to rest afloat next to something.
  The ship lay alongside a lovely island while a shore party searched for fresh water.
  Our ship lay alongside the narrow wooden pier.

• lay sth alongside:    [American slang]to ...
• alongside (of) so or sth:    [American slang]as ...
• draw (up) alongside so or sth:    [American slang]to ...