300 NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
35. Coming in against the ebb tide, how would you make fast between
two mooring buoys, head out?
If the tide was not too strong I should steam slowly up past the lower
buoy, keeping both buoys on my port side. When far enough ahead run
a good line from my port quarter on to the upper buoy. Make it fast
to the bitts or take it to a good winch ready for heaving close up. The
ship will then swing round with the tide. A little time would be saved
by going alternately astern and ahead on the engines. "When swung,
make her well fast by the stern to the upper buoy. Get my cable or
some good headlines on to the lower buoy.
If there was much tide I should steam up to the lower buoy, .run
some good headlines to it or shackle my cable on, and wait for slack'
water. When the new tide made, the ship would swing round to it I
could then get my stern moorings on to the upper buoy.
BERTHING, ETC.
It is not possible to give definite instructions for bringing a steamer
alongside a wharf, dock, or pier, which will apply to all cases. Much
will depend upon local conditions, set of tides or currents, conveniences
available for use in the shape oŁ buoys, dolphins, etc. The following
general suggestions should, however, be noted, and will apply to most
cases:—
Slack water is the best time—the stronger the tide or current the
more difficult it will be.
If there is any tide or current running the vessel should be stem on
,to it. She should be kept nearly parallel with the wharf, with the bow
slightly canted towards it, and gradually brought alongside.
If the wind or tide sets' the vessel towards the wharf, lines must be
run out to buoys if available, so as to ease her down to her berth. If no
buoy or dolphin is available take the vessel a little ahead of her berth'
and drop the off-shore anchor, and ease her alongside with the cable.
In any case, when a convenient distance from the shore and stem on
, to the tide, run a spring out ahead from the bow, and also breastropes
from the bow and stern. Heave in enough of the spring to keep her
from dropping astern of her berth, and then heave her steadily in with
the breastropes. Remember that heaving in a bow breastrope will tend
to make the stern go out unless there is a stern breastrope to prevent
it, and vice-versa. The vessel must only be allowed to cant very slightly
towards the shore. The helm can be used when stem on to the tide