[197] This is shewn in the sketch on the preceding page; the bar presented a very smooth surface for the bottom of the dingey to run over when it was shipped under the hatch, or hauled out in a hurry. Moreover, the wood was convenient to stride across in getting from the well to the cabin, and it was far more pleasant and warmer than metal to hold on by during violent lurches of the sea.
[206] A foreign sailor, examined as to a shipwreck case in Court, was asked, “How did you know it was the coast of England?” He said, “Because a lifeboat came out to us.” Rule Britannia!
[208] Three hundredweight of ballast was thrown off at Cowes, besides what we took out at Dover, and still the yawl was stiff.
[211] Other inventors, knowing the experimental turn of my crew, had sent me several instruments and things of various sorts to try in practice, and to report on. One of these was a beautiful little anchor made of bronze, and in form very peculiar and apparently an improvement, indeed an admirable novelty to look at. This, too, I heaved overboard for trial, but it simply dragged through the soft mud, and proved quite useless.
[240] He had wisely fitted a centre-board in his 14-feet canoe at my suggestion. This sliding keel answered well for sailing, and all our large canoes are now thus fitted. Mr. Berthons’ portable canoe can be carried flat under one arm. Canoe sails are dangerous unless they can be lowered in an instant. So are the sails of a frigate in a sudden squall. The ‘Eurydice,’ which I saw in Portsmouth harbour, is a warning for ever.
[242] To anchor for the night, riding by tide or stream, is not pleasant; for then the wind may cross your hatch, and blow the rain in sideways, whereas if you ride at anchor to the wind alone, the draught comes always from the front, and so it can be better provided for, and the boat does not roll much even if she pitches.
[244] Revelation xix. 7.
[246] It was hung on the port mizen shroud. To hang it in front of you is simply to cut off two of your three chances of possibly seeing ahead.
[250] I think that in a port like Newhaven the look-out man in charge ought to come to the pier-head when he sees a yacht entering in rough weather, and certainly there is more attention to such matters in France than with us.
[260] The singular volcanic eruptions in Iceland occurred also on that day.