Chapter I: Preface

This little work is not written to teach any thing new to those who know how to sail boats well and safely, but only for the purpose of enabling any person, after a perusal of its pages, to feel confident of handling a boat so as to be _perfectly safe_, and to have some knowledge of the rules which should govern its movements under all conditions that might naturally arise. This sport is far less dangerous than is supposed; and it may even be asserted that no kind of amusement is safer during the summer months in these latitudes,--many not as safe. Some one has truly said "that the boat is always under the perfect control, and subject to the will, of its master; whilst in driving, for instance, one is dependent for life and limb upon the forbearance, good-temper, and training of a brute whose strength is greater than one's own, and whose over-vaunted intelligence is often exceeded by his obstinacy."

It is simply wonderful what stress of wind and sea a small boat will sustain _with perfect safety_ when properly managed.

It is hoped that the following pages will be sufficient 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.

CHAPTER I.

The Model, Rig, and Names of the Sails and Ropes in
Common Use 7

CHAPTER II.

Ballast.--Useful Knots.--To anchor in a Gale of Wind.--Getting
the Anchor, and Casting.--Anchoring for Fishing.--Grounding
and Floating.--Warping by Means of an Anchor.--To make a
Running Moor 17

CHAPTER III.

The Helm and Rudder.--Sheets.--The Topping-Lift.--Springing
a Leak and the Use of the Pump.--Sailing "close-hauled,"
"by the wind," or "full and by."--To know when a Yacht is as
near the Wind as she will lie.--Running free.--Before the
Wind, or Scudding.--To execute a Pilot's Luff 35

CHAPTER IV.

Tacking.--Beating to Windward.--A Long and a Short
Leg.--How to put a Yacht about.--How to distinguish
the Starboard Tack from the Port Tack.--Jibing, or
Wearing.--Dropping the Peak.--To beat to Windward in a
Tide-Way.--To take in a Jib, and furl it.--To take in a
Mainsail, and furl it.--To reef a Jib, or take off a
Bonnet.--To clap one Reef in a Mainsail.--To cast out a Reef 50

CHAPTER V.

Signal-Lights.--The United States Regulations for Steering
and Sailing, and the Rules of the Road.--Fog-Signals.--Salutes.
--Dipping Colors.--Coming alongside.--Quarterdeck
Etiquette.--Useful Articles of Cabin Furniture.--Anchor
Watch.--Method and System _versus_ Disorder 64

CHAPTER VI.

Cross-Bearings.--Two Examples.--Table of Proportional
Distances.--Table for Determining the Distance that an
Object at Sea can be seen in Statute Miles.--Determining
Distance by the Flash of a Gun.--To find the Difference
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
Watch and Watch.--Boxing the Compass.--Velocity of
the Wind.--The Log Reel and Half-minute Glass.--Buoys--Man
Overboard 76

CHAPTER VII.

Practical Hints on Boat-Sailing 101

CHAPTER VIII.

A Short Cruise with a Sloop-Yacht, illustrating the Common
Sea-Manoeuvres 108

CHAPTER IX.

Vocabulary of Sea-Terms commonly in Use 124

PRACTICAL BOAT-SAILING.