The great difficulty of steering the ship at this time before the wind, is occasioned by its striking her on the quarter, when she makes the least angle on either side; which often forces her stern round, and brings her broadside to the wind and sea: this is an effect of the same cause which is explained in the last note of the second Canto.
[Page 127], l. 18, 19.
... the faithful stay
Drags the main top-mast by the cap away:
The main top-mast stay comes to the fore-mast head, and consequently depends upon the fore-mast as its support. The cap is a strong thick block of wood, used to confine the upper and lower masts together, as the one is raised at the head of the other. The principal caps of a ship are those of the lower masts.
[Page 129], l. 18.
For every wave now smites the quivering yard.
The sea at this time ran so high, that it was impossible to descend from the mast-head without being washed overboard.