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cannot slip. It is of the utmost importance that the snotter should be strong, and it should be replaced so soon as it shows any signs of wearing out; for should the snotter, on which there is always a great strain, happen to break when the boat is under way in a breeze, the sprit may be driven through the bottom of the boat. The thing that the skipper of a Thames barge dreads most in bad weather is that his heavy sprit should get adrift and 'take command.'
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Spritsail Barge with Sail brailed.
This is one of the safest of sails. The sprit can be quickly unshipped in a squall, and then the sail blows out a mere flag, offering little
