Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: May 9, 2025
'Barely four, from me passed unnoticed, and we touched once, but swung off under some play of the current. Then came abruptly, 'Stand by the anchor. Let go, and we brought up in mid-stream of the narrow creek we were following. I triced up the main-tack, and stowed the headsails unaided.
To ride down the main-tack of a two-decked ship, in a gale of wind, or what fell little short of a real gale, was not to be undertaken with twenty men, the extent of Daly's command; and he had recourse to the assistance of his enemies.
The rigging of the ships had now become very bad; on board the Discovery the main-tack gave way, killed one man, and wounded the boatswain and two others. On November 25 one of the Sandwich Islands, called by the natives Mowee, hove in sight. On the morning of December 2 the summits of the mountains of Owhyhee were seen, covered with snow. On the evening an eclipse of the moon was observed.
The men all rushed down to seize their bags and chests; the captain took me by the hand, and said, "Sir, I surrender myself to you, and give you leave now to act as you think proper." "Thompson," said I, "let go the main-sheet and the main-brace." Running forward myself, I let go the main-tack, and bowlines; the main yard came square of itself.
Thus the position of the main-tack block, and those of the fore and main sheets, the main-brace blocks, topsail sheet and brace bitts, with the number of sheeves in each, and twenty other things relating to kevils, cleats, and belaying pins, will be dependent for much of their eventual efficiency on the length of the yards, the size of the sails, and other circumstances which it is quite in vain, and quite unreasonable to expect the dockyard workmen to take into account.
"Gather in on the lee main-tack, my lads," said the first lieutenant, going to the lee gangway to see the duty performed. Now, Captain Carrington did know that "mainsail haul" was the next word of command; but as this order requires a degree of precision as to the exact time at which it is given, he looked over his shoulder for the first lieutenant, who usually prompted him in this exigence.
"Thompson," said I, "let go the main-sheet, and the main-brace." Running forward myself, I let go the main-tack, and bowlines; the main-yard came square of itself. Thompson got a lantern, which he held up on the starboard quarter. The frigate passed close under the stern, shewing a beautiful pale side, with a fine tier of guns; and, hailing us, desired to know what vessel it was.
Word Of The Day
Others Looking