304 SUBMARINE CABLE LAYING AND EIPAIEING. 



bridle chain on the buoy, C (Fig. 183). At the top end of this 

 chain there are a few feet of loose end above the slip link 

 stoppered to the flag stays at A. When the boat's crew get 

 alongside the buoy one man cuts adrift the seizings of this loose 

 end and gets the end in the boat. This is being done in the 

 illustration (Fig. 182). He then shackles the drum-line from 

 ship on to the end of this chain, which has a big link for the 

 purpose. This done, and seeing that the line and chain are 

 clear of the boat, he knocks up the washer on the slip link, 

 seen in the illustration on the left-hand side of the buoy, giving 



Fig. 182. — Unmooring Buoy at Sea. 



the ship command of this chain. The ship then heaves in on 

 the line until the full weighb and strain of the cable are taken 

 up on the gear on board. The word is then given to the boat's 

 crew to " let go," upon which the remaining slip link or detach- 

 able hook is dropped, so casting adrift the riding leg of the buoy 

 chain and releasing the buoy. In a heavy seaway the operation 

 carried out by the boat's crew is very difficult and at times very 

 risky, owing to the possible danger of the boat being injured 

 by being dashed against the buoy or ship's side, or of its being 

 swamped by a high wave. 



