SAILING (continued)

The ships i and p of which the former sails S.E. b S. and the latter S.W. b S. are said to have the wind three points on the larboard or starboard quarter: and those expressed by k and o, two points, as steering S.S.E. and S.S.W. in both which positions. the yards make nearly an angle of 16� or about a point and an half, with the ship's length.

When the wind is one point on the quarter, as in the ships l and n, whose courses are S. b E. and S. b W. the situation of the yards and sails is very little different from the last mentioned; the angle which they make with the keel being somewhat less than a point, and the stay-sails being rendered of very little service. The ship m sails right afore the wind, or with the wind right aft. In this position the yards are laid at right angles with the ship's length: the stay-sails, being entirely useless, are hauled down : and the main-sail is drawn up in the brails, that the fore-sail may operate; a measure which considerably facilitates the steerage, or effort of the helm. As the wind is then intercepted, by the main, top-sail and main-top-gallant-sail, in its passage to the fore top-sail and fore top-gallant-sail, these latter are by consequence entirely becalmed, and might therefore be furled, to prevent their being fretted by flapping against the mast, but that their effort contributes greatly to prevent the ship from broaching-to, when she deviates from her course to the right or left thereof.

Thus all the different methods of sailing may be divided into four, viz. close-hauled, large, quartering, and afore the wind; all which relate to the direction of the wind with regard to the ship's course, and the arrangement of the sails. See also DRIFT and LEEWAY.

Reference Works