SEA FISHING FROM SMALL BOATS 223 



They are always backed in, and the surf breaks harmlessly 

 against the sharp bows, while the flat stern slips over the sand 

 through the shallow water until it is brought within reach of 

 the hauling rope. 



On Deal beach, which has a tremendous slant, very sea- 

 worthy little vessels may be seen. Though these have but 

 small keels, they are of fairly deep draught, for the water is 

 deep close along shore. It is quite a sensation to get into a 

 Deal lugger or galley-punt some forty yards from the water, 

 and be sent spinning down the sloping beach, striking the sea 

 with a bang, and taking in half a dozen bucketfuls of water. 

 But it is still more exciting coming on shore in a gale of wind, 

 for the Deal boats are usually hauled up stern foremost, and lie 

 broadside on to the waves for a few minutes before the winch 

 can be set to work and they can be brought out of reach of 

 the waves. 



Points which the hirer of the boat should look to are good 

 oars ; a good anchor, or, if the bottom is rocky, a killick stone ; 

 a sufficiency of cable at least half as many more fathoms as 

 the greatest depth at which the boat may have to be anchored ; 

 and thole-pins which are not more than half worn out. Long- 

 shoremen are apt to be very careless about these matters, often 

 letting a thole-pin, for instance, break before they will take the 

 trouble to renew it. Of course, I need hardly say that if the boat 

 is a small sailing vessel, the better the condition of the rigging 

 and cordage generally, the safer she will be in case it comes 

 on to blow. Above all things, in small craft generally, and 

 particularly in boats without ballast, never allow the boatman 

 to make the sheet fast. Many a man has been drowned who 

 has neglected the simple precaution of holding the sheet in his 

 hand. Along high rocky coasts, which is just the place where 

 much of the best fishing is obtained, squalls come down and 

 lay the boat over in an instant. On the open sea a puff can 



