SAILING CRAFT 89 



with their coamings fore and aft on carlings 

 that reach from beam to beam ; for the riding 

 bitts, which are posts to hold the cable when 

 the vessel is at anchor, and which must 

 therefore be immensely strong ; for the wind- 

 lass, which in the merchant service often did 

 the double duty of the bitts and capstan ; and 

 for a multiplicity of other parts. 



A landsman could hardly believe what a 

 marvellous adjustment of co-operating parts 

 is required for a ship unless he actually watches 

 its construction. He will then understand 

 why it is by far the most wonderful structure 

 man has ever built throughout all the ages of 

 his evolution. It represents his first success in 

 mastering an element not his own ; and, what- 

 ever the future may see in the way of aviation, 

 the priority of seamanship will always remain 

 secure by thousands and thousands of known 

 and unknown years. 



But we are still no farther than a few parts 

 of the hull. There is the stepping of the masts, 

 with their heels set firm and square above the 

 keel, and their rake ' right plim ' throughout. 

 Then there is the whole of the rigging — a 

 perfect maze to look at, though an equally 

 perfect device to use ; the sails, which require 

 the most highly expert workmanship to make ; 



