BERTHING AND MOORING 301
just as if under way, and the ship sheered towards or away from the
shore as may be necessary.
Note carefully if there are any overhanging obstructions likely to
foul the ship's rigging, davits, bridge, etc , and take corresponding
precautions. (See detailed questions further on.)
Getting away from Alongside a Wharf? Pock, Etc.
If the vessel is stem on to the tide.—Have a spring from aft made
fast to the wharf well forward, and a breastrope from the bow. Cast
ofi the moorings, and the weight coming on the spnng her bow will cant
out, use the rudder to assist in canting ship's head as desired. When
the bow cants out keep a check on the breastrope, which will bring the
stern out, when clear, the engines can, if necessary, be used.
If the vessel is stern on to the tide,—Have the spring from forward,
the breastrope from aft, and bring her out stern first
Care must be taken not to use the engines until clear, and also to
allow for the efiect they may have in bringing her stern in or out.
Coming Alongside a Wharf, Docking, Etc,
1. You are coming up a river on the flood tide, how would you go
alongside a wharf?
Have my anchors clear and my heaving lines, fenders, and mooring
ropes all ready for use. When a Little way past my berth turn my
ship round and stem the tide. Steam slowly towards the wharf. Give
her a slight cant in as I approached it, using my engines as necessary.
Get a good headline ashore and make it fast. When the weight comes
on it she will drop alongside. See that she is properly moored.
2. Coming up on the flood, how would you get alongside if there was a.
strong wind blowing across the river directly on to the wharf?
• Bound her to and stem the tide. Steam slowly into a good weatherly
position ahead of my berth. Let go my offshore anchor. Run a
good headline ashore on to the wharf and make it fast. Ease away my
cable. The weight will gradually come on to the rope, and she will
drop alongside. Mind my fenders.
3. How would you get alongside a wharf if you were coming up a river
on the ebb tide ?
Steam slowly up towards the wharf, having just enough way to
stem the tide and carry me over the ground as I approach it. When