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"The fleet anchored at Spithead": can anyone want a better sentence for brevity and seamanlike ring? But the "cast-anchor" trick, with its affectation of being a sea-phrase for why not write just as well "threw anchor," "flung anchor," or "shied anchor"? is intolerably odious to a sailor's ear. From first to last the seaman's thoughts are very much concerned with his anchors.
I am certain our commander will consent to my doing so, and will gladly send on board you two or three boat's crews." "If I let him," muttered Spike between his teeth, "I shall be a poor, miserable cast-anchor devil, that's all." To Wallace, however, he expressed his hearty acknowledgments; begged him not to be in a hurry, as the worst was now over, and the row was still a long one.
"Captain Spike is of opinion, lieutenant, that our cast-anchor here is excellent, and I know the value of a good cast-anchor place; for my poor Mr. Budd was a sea-faring man, and taught me almost as much of your noble profession as he knew himself."
"And he taught you, ma'am," said Wallace, fairly opening his eyes, under the influence of astonishment, "to be very particular about cast-anchor places!" "Indeed he did. He used to say, that roads-instead were never as good, for such purposes, as land that's locked havens, for the anchors would return home, as he called it, in roads-instead."
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