N.B.—The term starboard is applied to any thing appertaining to the right-hand side of a boat, with the observer looking towards the bow. The term port (formerly, and sometimes now, called larboard) is applied to any thing appertaining to the left-hand side, and, thus once defined, never changes.
Although the observer may go forward and look aft, the starboard side is still the starboard side, although now on his left hand. Hence sailors talk of the starboard anchor, the port shrouds; "Ease off the port jib-sheet!" "Let go the starboard flying-jib-sheet!" "Put your helm over to port!" "Hoist those colors from the starboard side!" "Let the boom go over to port!" "Get up that anchor which you will find below in the forecastle, on the starboard side!" "Go about on the port tack!" &c.
The jib (2) is hoisted by means of a rope, which is called the jib-halliards, which is made fast to the upper clew of the sail, and led through a block at the mainmast head, and thence to the deck, being "belayed" (i.e., made fast) to the mainmast near the deck. This sail also has a small but useful rope attached to it, called the down-haul, which is fastened to the upper clew, and led down to a small block at the bowsprit end, and thence in on deck; and serves to haul the sail down after the halliards have been cast off. The flying-jib (4) is fitted with halliards and down-haul in the same manner.
The gaff-topsail (3) is set by hauling out the after-leach and foot to the end of the main-gaff, which part of the gaff is called the peak, by means of a rope, which is named the gaff topsail-sheet, which reefs through a sheave in the gaff end, and hence under the gaff to the throat, and thence through a block to the deck. The other clew, formed by the luff and foot, is stretched by means of a rope leading to the deck, called the tack; and the sail is hoisted by means of halliards, that reeve through a block fastened at the topmast head, and thence leading to the deck.
When the boat is under way, and pressed over by the wind, the terms "starboard" and "port" are often exchanged for "leeward" and "windward," and, in fact, are the more commonly used in many instances; although an old sailor would apply the word "starboard" to certain things that he would not apply the word "leeward" or "windward" to: but these exceptions it would be hard to point out, and they would be of little material use. Let it suffice to say, that as a rule, when a boat is at anchor or upright, the terms "starboard" and "port" are used; whilst, when under way, the terms "lee" or "leeward," "weather" or "windward," are more commonly used; for instance, "Let go the weather jib-sheet!" "Haul aft the lee flying jib-sheet!" "Haul that coil of rope over to the weather-side (or to windward)!" "Throw that hot water to leeward!" "Does she carry a weather-helm?" &c.
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.
Having learned the names of all the important spars, sails, and ropes, and their uses, it becomes necessary to study the other appurtenances of a boat to acquire a thorough knowledge of boat-sailing; and for that purpose we will pass briefly in review the following.