10 APPARATUS. 



prevent its being hauled up. Stones are much 

 used to anchor boats when fishing, but the above 

 is the most convenient mode of using them. 



THE CREEPER 



Is a kind of anchor made of iron, for use in small 

 sailing or rowing boats, on muddy or sandy 

 ground; it is made with four or more claws 

 (see Plate III, No. 8), so as to catch the ground 

 in whatever position it reaches the bottom, and 

 hold the boat without dragging from her original 

 position; in the centre, where the claws spring 

 from the shank, is a loop or ring, the use of 

 which is to fasten the rope very firmly, and then 

 to lead it back to the ring at the other end of the 

 shank, where it is simply fastened with a piece of 

 twine, so that in case the creeper is caught firmly 

 by a rock or any other obstruction a strong pull 

 will detach or break the twine, and cause the line 

 attached to the crown to pull out or withdraw 



