NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP. AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
other position, as the oil goe?, astern while the waves come up on
the quarter.
"Lying-to, the weather bow, and another position farther aft seem
the best places from which to hang the bags, with a sufficient
length of line to permit them to draw to windward., while the
ship drifts.
"9. Crossing a bar with a flood tide, oil poured overboard and allowed
to float in ahead of the boat which would follow with a bag
towing astern, would appear to be the best plan. As before
remarked, under these circumstances the efiect cannot be so
much trusted.
"On a bar with the ebb tide it would seem to be useless to try oil
for the purpose of entering.
"10. For boarding a wreck, it is recommended to pour oil overboard
to windward of her before going alongside. The efiect in this
case must greatly depend upon the set of the current, and the
circumstances of the depth of water.
**11. For a boat riding in bad weather from a sea anchor, it is recom-
mended to fasten the bag to an endless line rove through a block
on the sea anchor, by which means the oil is diffused well ahead
of the boat, and the bag can be readily hauled on board for
refilling if necessary.
"12. Towing a vessel in a heavy sea, oil is of the greatest service, and
may prevent parting the hawser. Distribute from the towing
vessel forward and on both sides; if used only aft the tow alone
gets the benefit.'*