a Choice of Courses and Tack, in a Gale, 331 
Ss successive positions and local changes of wind, as shown in 
4 Charts IV to X, and compared, also, with the varying courses of 
3 progression which are shown in Chart I. Let the mariner sup- 
, pose himself in any position which may fall under the approach- 
F ’ ing gale as there delineated, and he may perceive the successive 
: changes of wind which must necessarily take place, as the gale 
passes onward. 'T’his gale, in its various local phases, may be 
taken as illustrating pretty fairly, nearly all the great storms in 
the northern temperate latitudes, as well as the successive local 
changes of a large portion of the common winds of these lat- 
itudes. 
| The chief difficulty, in some latitudes, may be in determining 
= the actual course of the gale’s progression ; for the choice of any 
_ Course for avoiding the heart of the gale must depend partly on 
this knowledge. But the local position and latitude of the ship, 
together with the attending appearances of the storm, will com- 
_ Ionly afford sufficient indications. ? 
~ But a course for avoiding the heart of the storm is not all that 
is to be considered ; for this may be controlled by imperious cir- 
F cumstances or considerations, and little choice be allowed. Other 
; things being equal, it is important, in the commencement of a 
gale, to. take such a course as will be favorable to the ultimate 
Prosecution of the voyage, and will enable the ship to en- 
Counter with most safety that portion of the gale which may 
bechosen, or found unavoidable. This may involve the questions 
of seudding and of lying to, which must partly depend on the 
character and lading of the vessel; and also the tack to be pre- 
ferred, in the latter alternative. The early direction of the storm- 
Wind and the course taken by the ship, will usually decide the 
further changes of the gale, and it will be proper to Jay on that 
lack in which the ship’s head will come up to the sea, as the 
: Wind veers or changes,—not that on which she will be headed off 
: by the wind into the trough of the sea, and perhaps taken aback 
inthe heart of the gale. A glance at the storm figures on the 
Charts will commonly show which tack should be chosen, m dif- 
ferent parts of the storm, by vessels bound in different directions. 
The chief difficulty in deciding is when the ship happens to be 
_ Mor near the axis of the gale; in which case the discretion of 
the mariner must rule ; but it is desirable first to get away from 
em 
this line as far as possible. The degree of caution and fore- 
“us line as far as possible. degre 
thought which it may be proper to exercise, may best be deter- 
