Mildew generates very quickly in the interior of a yacht; therefore it is very necessary that all clothing and bedding be brought on deck to dry at every convenient opportunity. Any shackles or other small iron work not in use should—if ungalvanized—be greased before being put away in the lockers.
There are so many odd corners in a yacht in which dirt can accumulate and conceal itself that a scrupulous cleanliness is necessary. Scrub and swab everything like a Dutch woman, and take care that no morsels of meat or other perishable matter be swept through the chinks of the floor into the bilge. Even paper and straw will produce a very unpleasant odour after they have been lying sodden some while. Therefore take the paper covers off your tins of meat before stowing them under the bunks.
CHAPTER XI.
THE LAWS OF THE SEA.
Board of Trade regulations concerning lights, fog signals, steering and sailing rules, pilot signals, etc.—Custom House clearance on returning from a foreign port—Explanation of the terms used in giving steering directions, etc.
Any one who ventures to take charge of even a small yacht should be familiar with the Board of Trade regulations for preventing collisions at sea, and not only with those rules which have been laid down for his own guidance, but with those applying specially to steamers, to fishing boats or other craft differing from his own, that he may recognize their manœuvres when he comes across them, and thus be able to avoid collision with them.
We will now quote the Board of Trade regulations, making such comments and explanations as we think will be useful.
Art. 1.—In the following rules every steam ship which is under sail and not under steam is to be considered a sailing ship; and every steam ship which is under steam, whether under sail or not, is to be considered a ship under steam.
The following are the Rules concerning Lights:—
Art. 2.—The lights mentioned in the following Articles, numbered 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and no others, shall be carried in all weathers, from sunset to sunrise.
Art. 3.—A seagoing steam ship when under way shall carry—