TENDING SHIP AT ANCHOR 299
running. Lower the kedge down into the boat, landing the crown and
arms on to a plank lashed across the gunwales well aft, and having the
stock in a vertical position over the stern. Bend the end of the warp
on to the kedge. Pull the boat out to the desired position, be sure that
the warp is clear, and drop the kedge. This is best done by turning or
sliding it over the quarter. It is much easier than topping it up over
the stern, and less likely to result in a foul anchor. I should pay the
warp out from the boat as I pulled back to the ship and pass the end
on board. Should not forget to buoy the anchor before dropping it.
When carrying a kedge out to leeward or with the tide, after making
the warp fast to it, I should hang it over the stern by means of a sliprope,
but instead of coiling the whole of the warp down in the boat should
take only a few fathoms to slack away if necessary, making them pay
it out from on board the ship as I pulled away.
This would save me the work of dragging the floating warp back
to the ship against the wind or tide; in a ship's boat it might not be
possible to do it.
31. What is the length of the buoy rope, and how should it be made
fast to the anchor?
It must be long enough for the buoy to float at high water, and to
ensure that the buoy is not run under in a strong tide.
It should be made fast at the crown of the anchor by means of a
clove hitch with one part on each side of the shank, and finished off
with two half hitches.
32. What is the object of buoying the anchor?
To mark its position, and to provide a means of recovering it if
the warp should be carried away. The buoy rope, of course, must
be good enough for the job.
33. You come to anchor in bad holding ground. What precaution
would you take to ensure against dragging?
Give her a greater length of cable than I should if the holding ground
was good.
34. In that case, what would you do at slack water if there was no windl
Heave in the cable until short. When the vessel swings with the
new tide veer away again until I am riding to the required length.