V
VAN to VEER away the cable
VEERING to VOYOL
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VEERING (continued)
When the tempest is so violent as to prevent the use of sails, the effort of the wind operates almost equally on the opposite ends of the ship, so that the masts and yards situated at the head and stern counterbalance each other. The effect of the helm is also considerably diminished, hecause the head-way, which gives life and vigour to all its operations, is at this time feeble and ineffectual. Hence it is necessary to destroy this equilibrium which subsists between the mast and yards afore and abaft, and to throw the balance forward, in order to prepare for veering. This is accordingly performed by bracing the foremost yards across the direction of the wind, and arranging those on the main-mat and mizen-mast directly in the line of the wind. If this expedient proves unsuccessful, and it is abfbiutely necessary to veer, in order to savethe ship from destruction, by overretting or running ashore, the mizenmalt mutt instantly be cut away, and even the main-mast, if she yet remains incapable of answering the helm by bearing away before the wind.
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© Derived from Thomas Cadell's new corrected edition, London: 1780, page 307, 2003
Prepared by Paul Turnbull
http://southseas.nla.gov.au/refs/falc/1448.html