[27] THE SCHOONER GRAMPUS. 463 



To the hoop is attached, by sister hooks, a deep canvas bag, shaped 

 like a skull-cap, which will fill with water when thrown overboard and 

 hold the vessel steady, nearly head to the sea and wind, and with only 

 a moderate leeway. The drag, when in use, is secured to the end of a 

 hawser, and it can be suspended at any required depth by means of a 

 buoy. A line is attached to the bottom of the bag so that it can be 

 tripped and easily hauled in when its use is no longer necessary. The 

 advantages of this drag are that it is always ready for use, being easily 

 adjusted in a few moments when needed ; that it can be unrigged and 

 stow r ed away when not in use. 



Fig. 2.— Collins' improved marine drag. 



Dimensions: Circumference of hoop, 18 feet; length of cross-bars, 5 

 feet 10J inches; size of iron, 1^ inches ; length of bridle-chains (each), 

 5 feet ; circumference of bag, 19 feet ; depth of bag, 4 feet ; canvas 

 (No. 1), white cotton duck. 



This drag was designed to insure the greater safety of vessels in heavy 

 gales, and also to prevent them from drifting so rapidly to leeward as 

 they usually do when it is not employed. It is secured to a hawser or 

 chain and paid out from the bow of the schooner, the distance varying 

 from 25 to 75 fathoms. A bag containing oakum saturated with oil 

 can be used, in connection with the drag, to smoothen the sea, and thus, 

 to a still greater extent, insure the safety of the vessel. 



