268 



GENERAL REMARKS. 



outside. When the main -sheet has been passed under the 

 inner end of the pin, a bow or bight is pushed under, which is 

 held securely by the haulage of the sail : this can be imme- 

 diately cast off by a sharp 

 pull on the free end when 

 necessary. (See fig. 85). 

 In squally weather or under 

 high lands in anything like 

 a breeze, I merely pass the 

 main-sheet under the out- 

 side end of the pin, holding 

 it in my hand, ready to let 

 fly on the instant. Much 

 of my experience having 

 been in sailing under the 

 high cliffs of South Devon, 

 the necessity of caution in 

 no ordinary degree has been 

 impressed on me, from the 

 FIG. 85.-Beiaying the Main-sheet. frequent casualties in these 



localities. Large boats have 



a tackle purchase fixed on each quarter, or a horse of bar iron, 

 which should be galvanised ; the horse is preferable for 

 amateurs. 



BEATING TO WINDWARD in a heavy sea, watch the ap- 

 proaching waves, and should any appear likely to break aboard, 

 yield the helm a little to the boat, which will, as sailors term it, 

 ' ease her when she pitches ; ' she will thus pass lightly over it 

 and ship little or no water, when you can again keep your 

 course. 



SCUDDING or RUNNING in a heavy sea, carry as much sail 

 as your boat can bear comfortably, but no more, and diminish 

 your after sail by lowering your mizen, or your sprit if your boat 

 is of that rig, or dropping the peak of a gaffsail-boat a little ; 

 you will thus be enabled to keep before the sea, for should she 

 broach-to that is to say, under these circumstances present 

 her side, instead of her stern, to the pursuing waves she will 

 very likely be filled. 



