MANAGEMENT OF THE VESSELS. 139 



While this may not be (he place to discuss the ability of the schooner to sail close to the wind, 

 it may be stated that the average fishing schooner may be steered within five points of the wind, 

 and the best sailers, under favorable circumstances, within four points. In this respect their per- 

 formance is equal to that of many yachts. There are probably no modern vessels in the New 

 England fishing fleet which cannot sail within five points of the wind. To sail within four points 

 of the wind it is necessary for a vessel to head northeast when the wind blows directly from the 

 north or at an angle of 45° with the direction of the wind ; when sailing within five points of the 

 wind the vessel would be heading northeast by east — the wind beiug still from due north— or at an 

 angle of 56° 30". When a vessel is sailing more than five points off from the direction of the 

 wind, she is no longer sailing "by the wind," and the sheets must be slackened and the sails 

 allowed to go farther out upon the leeward side. As her course deviates farther and farther from 

 the direction of the wind she is said to be running with "free sheets," until the wind becomes 

 "abeam" or at an angle of 90° to the direction of her keel. When the wind comes from a direc- 

 tion which is more.than 90° from that in which the bow is pointed and at an angle as great as or 

 in the vicinity of 135°, she is said to be sailing with the wind "abaft the beam." When the wind 

 is about 45° abaft the beam, she is sailing with the wind on her quarter, the direction of the wind 

 having the same relation to the stern of the vessel that it had to the bow when the vessel was 

 sailing "by the wind." When the wind is blowing in such a way that its direction forms with 

 the keel an angle of less them 45°, the wind is said to be "aft," and if directly astern, the vessel 

 is said to be saibng " dead before it." 



WITH THE WIND ON THE QUARTER. 



The average schooner sailing with the wind " on her quarter," with her fullest complement of 

 sails, will carry all her sails until the wind blows what the fishermen would call a "good breeze." 

 The first sails to be taken in, as the wind freshens, are the balloon-jib and staysail. This is neces- 

 sary in order to prevent the topmasts from being carried away. A vessel carrying all her sails 

 with a fresh breeze would probably heel over until her scuppers touched the water, and sometimes 

 deeper, before it would be necessary to take in the balloon-jib and staysail, and, under these cir- 

 cumstances, would sail at the rate of 10 to 12 knots an hour. 



Under these conditions the vessel makes its best speed, the water usually being smooth and 

 the "point of sailing" favorable. Large vessels belonging to the port of Gloucester and other 

 fishing ports have, under such circumstances, made a speed of 13 or 14 miles an hour. 



As the breeze increases in strength the foretopsail and then the maintop-sail are removed. 

 The heeling over of the vessel would remain about the same, and her speed would be practically 

 undiminished. The flying-jib is next taken in. The vessel is now moving ahead with what is 

 called a "whole-sail breeze," and when the jib, foresail, and mainsail are set, is said to be, under 

 •• whole sail," the other sails being known as the "light sails." 



The differences in the shape and rig of vessels render it possible for some to carry a certain 

 amount of sail much longer than others, and to heel to an extent which would be dangerous to 

 others. The average schooner must shorten sail when the lee-rail is level with the water. 



With a whole-sail breeze and a comparatively smooth sea the speed of the vessel remains about 

 the same as when the breeze is lighter and all sails set. It is supposed that a whole sail breeze, 

 for a vessel with the wind on her quarter has a velocity not far from 30 miles an aour. 



A schooner-rigged vessel will carry a larger proportion of sail in comparison with a square- 

 rigged vessel when sailing by the wind than under any other circumstances. As the wind 

 increases, the mainsail is taken in and reefed. It is usually the custom at such times, especially 



