It is hoped that the following pages will be suffi cient to post all tyros in the technique of the science, and enable them to execute all the manoeuvres that are needful, and to know the names and uses of all the important ropes, sails, &c.; so that they will not have to ask anybody any questions, and be able to "paddle their own canoe." If the author has succeeded in making himself understood, so that the student will feel competent to take charge of his own boat or yacht with confidence, he will be amply repaid. There is no doubt but what there may be a difference of opinion amongst yachtsmen and boatmen as to the best manner of executing many sea-evolutions.. The author has chosen those which have stood the test of time, and are comparatively simple, and easy of execution, fitted for small craft, and perfectly safe. Several useful hints have been gathered by an inspection of Bowditch's "Epitome" and Brady's "Kedge-Anchor." MOTHER GOOSE (slightly altered). "Three wise men of Gotham Went to sea in a bowl : If their wits had been stronger, My song had been longer." CONTENTS. To anchor in a Gale of Wind. - Getting the Anchor, and Casting. - Anchoring for Fish- Springing a Leak and the Use of the Pump. — Sailing ," "by the wind," or "full and by."— To know when a Yacht is as near the Wind as she will lie. - Beating to Windward. A Long and a Short How to put a Yacht about.— - How to distinguish the Starboard Tack from the Port Tack. - Jibing, or Wear- ing. Dropping the Peak. To beat to Windward in a Tide-Way. To take in a Jib, and furl it. To take in a Object at Sea can be seen in Statute Miles. Distance by the Flash of a Gun. between the True and Apparent Direction of the Wind.- To find the Distance of an Object on Shore from the Yacht, by two Bearings of the Compass. Use of the Charts. Soundings. Lead Line. - Eight Bells, and PRACTICAL BOAT-SAILING. CHAPTER I. THE MODEL, RIG, AND NAMES OF THE SAILS AND ROPES IN COMMON USE. It would be beyond the province or scope of this work to enumerate all the different models and peculiarities of the numerous crafts and rigs that are used to navigate the waters, both in civilized and uncivilized countries; and we must content ourselves by taking into consideration a few of the most pronounced types that are now in vogue, and explaining their principles as briefly as possible. Local prejudice rules strong in all parts of the world; and the rig, size, and model of a boat, are almost always defined by the "custom" of the waters in which it is to be sailed: still it is perhaps well to give a few general rules for the selection of a boat. For bays, sounds, harbors, and inland tidal waters connected with the sea, the 7 boat or small yacht should be of a shoal model, and what is termed the centre-board principle, and usually the sloop or cat-boat rig. For ponds, and small lakes of fresh water, the boat should always be of good beam, light draught, and small sail, on account of the frequency of puffs of winds from unexpected quarters from the neighboring hillsides. In fact, if there is any danger in sailing, it is upon these land-locked ponds or lakes, where more seamanship is often needed than on the larger bays and sounds of the ocean itself. For outside work, or in places where the tidāl currents are strong, or the wind may sweep across the water for miles, "kicking up a sea," the deep keel model, with schooner or cutter rig, will be the better boat; this class being considered superior in working to windward in a heavy sea to the shoaler craft. But, even on this question, there are disagreements; and you shall hear of those who maintain that the shoal-water centre-board craft is the better boat in a heavy sea-way; and some lovers of a craft called a "sharpie " tell startling tales of its endurance in heavy weather, although it is the shoalest of all shoal boats. The advantage of the centre-board boat over the keel boat for harbor and sound sailing, or wherever the tide rises and falls to any great extent, is obvious. With the latter, one is liable to be brought up upon an unknown sand-bank or ledge, and compelled to |