256 GUERNSEY SPRITSA1L-BOAT. 



the mainmast may be struck) ; sixthly, under a reefed mainsail 

 and moderate-sized jib ; seventhly, under a whole or reefed 

 foresail only ; eighthly, under the two spritsails, the mainsail to 

 be reduced by one reef, so as not to have too much after- 

 canvas ; the small jib, however, is a great recommendation in 

 steadying the boat and preventing her flying up into the wind, 

 which they always are liable to do without some little head-sail 

 when the mainsail is set. The sprits are set up with a tackle 

 consisting of two blocks. These boats draw a good deal of 

 water aft and not much forward, are stiff under canvas with a 

 moderate amount of ballast, go better to windward than any of 

 their size I have met with on the English coast, tack as quickly 

 as a 'Mudian, and are very strongly built. As they have often 

 to make very short tacks among the rocks, and also to work the 

 eddy tides in the lee of the rocks, to make their passages to and 

 from their fishing grounds, it is absolutely necessary they should 

 answer the helm quickly, and they certainly do ' stay like a top,' 

 owing to their beam, deep draught aft combined with light 

 draught forward, and considerable rudder power, hung as the 

 rudder is on a raking stern-post. In the older boats, this rake 

 was often carried to a ridiculous extent, but in those more lately 

 built, although the rake is still considerable, it is much dimi- 

 nished, and with no perceptible disadvantage, for the beam, 

 joined to the difference of fore and aft draught, renders them 

 quick enough in stays for all practical purposes, and the addi- 

 tional length of keel makes them run more steadily off the 

 wind. They are all carvel-built, but chiefly framed with elm, 

 and not often with oak, which is far from abundant in the island. 

 Copper fastenings are in most cases used to the top streak, 

 which, however, must be nailed with iron, as copper is not found 

 to hold well in the gunwale. Some few are copper fastened 

 only as far as the water line, and of late years galvanised iron 

 nails have been introduced, but as a rule copper is preferred 

 for fastenings. It has been previously mentioned that the 

 sprits are hoisted by the aid of two blocks : the upper block 

 should be a double one, with a tail, usually formed, in the boat 

 here represented, by a piece of double rope, which being spliced 

 together at the ends forms two eyes ; one of these goes over 



