[51] To leeward.
The vessel is now on the wind, plies to windward, or is close-hauled.[52]
[52] These terms all imply one thing, viz., that the vessel is sailing as near as possible to the point whence the wind blows. No square-rigged vessel will sail within less than six, and no fore-and-aft rigged vessel within less than five, points of the wind, to have any head-way.
Being now apt to gripe, or come up into the wind with a sudden jerk, now and again, she wall carry her helm more or less a-weather. The helmsman must watch the weather-leach of the mainsail, to prevent the vessel getting her head in the wind.
TACKING.[53]
[53] To turn a vessel from one side to the other with her head toward the wind. When a vessel is obliged to tack several times successively to get to windward, she is said to be beating to windward; when to get up or down a harbour, channel, &c., beating up or down, &c.; when trying to get off a lee shore, clawing off.
A vessel’s tacks are always to windward and forward; and her sheets, to leeward and aft; whence the terms larboard or starboard tack, meaning that she has her tacks aboard on the larboard or starboard side.
Having got abreast or opposite the mouth of the harbour, haul the fore bowline. “Ready about.”[54] Put your helm up, or to windward a little, and let the vessel go rather off the wind, to get good way on her; then gently down or to leeward with it, which is announced by the helmsman calling “Helm’s a-lee.” Let fly the jib-sheet: this takes off the balance of wind from her head, and acts in concert with the helm in sweeping her stern to leeward, or rather in allowing her head to come quicker up into the wind.
[54] A command that all hands are to be attentive, and at their stations for tacking.