off on the port tack, the mooring-rope is brought to the port-side and is made fast close to the main rigging; this turns the vessel's head to starboard. The sails are then hoisted; it takes a second to slip the moorings, and away the vessel shoots with all her sails full.
Until the anchor is well out of the water do not get much way on the vessel, but heave to, if you have plenty of sea-room; for otherwise the anchor may be driven back by the pressure of the water, and get foul of the stem or bobstay.
Having got the vessel under way, I will now describe some of the principal manœuvres which have to be executed in the course of a sail. We will suppose that all plain canvas has been set, and that the vessel is sailing full and bye—that is, as near the wind as she can go, while yet keeping her sails full. Nothing is gained by jamming a boat too close to the wind, with her sails all on the shake; for though she may be pointing more directly towards her destination, her speed will be greatly diminished, especially if there is any sea on.
To sail a vessel on a wind so as to get the most out of her is an art not to be acquired without much patient practice and observation. At first, the tyro will find it a wearisome business to take his trick at the tiller when a vessel is close-hauled. He will ever be anxiously on the watch lest he bear away or luff up too much; and yet, despite all his care, he will be disgusted to find that at one moment
