CHAPTER III 

 DANGERS AND PRECAUTIONS 



Those who "go down to the sea in ships" have learned from many cen- 

 turies of experience that a safe return, in so far as man can assure it, de- 

 pends upon preparing in advance for every possible emergency. The 

 expression "I found everything shipshape" arises from the tradition of 

 the sea that a ship must be kept in perfect order. Every implement must 

 be in place and ready for instant use. Ropes must be properly separated 

 and coiled. A tangle is unpardonable. All movables on deck must be se- 

 cured upon the first warning of foul weather. Sailors must learn how 

 to meet the unexpected, and good sailors spend much of their time when 

 on watch in visualizing every emergency they can think of, and decid- 

 ing how they would act. 



A sail-boat is off shore and a sudden squall descends. Sail must be taken 

 in quickly. A tangle in a halyard prevents lowering. The sailor has no 

 knife in his pocket with which to cut the halyard, and the squall hits the 

 ship unprepared. Result, some people are lost at sea. 



A small motor cruiser operated by the owner and friend, was on her 

 way to Florida from a Northern port. She did not arrive at her des- 

 tination, nor was the crew ever heard of again. Fair weather prevailed 

 during, and for many days after the time required to have completed 

 the voyage. A coastwise steamer reported sighting some charred frag- 

 ments that resembled parts of a small boat. Investigation revealed a prob- 

 able cause of the disaster. The owner, desiring to carry an emergency 

 supply of gasoline, had filled a number of one gallon tins and stored 



