314:

NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE

conditions of wind and weather, it will, as the tide slackens, gradually
sink to the bottom, and by its weight hold the ship's head to a certain
extent; hence it is necessary to sheer the ship into a favourable position
for swinging before the tide is spent.

It is generally recommended to swing the ship on the same side of
her anchor at each turn of the tide if possible, in order to prevent
drawing the chain round the anchor. It is not always possible to do
this, as a shift of wind may render it impracticable. It does not follow
that, if she swings on different sides, the chain will foul the anchor, as
the anchor, under average conditions of wind and tide, would probably
slew in the ground at each turn of the tide. These remarks on tending
ship apply more to the old fashioned anchors rather than to the patent,
self-stowing, stockless type.

ANCHOR WORK.

1. Which is the working anchor in the Northern hemisphere, and for

what reason?

The port anchor. The reason is that if a vessel is riding to her
port anchor, and is afterwards obliged to let go the second one, when
the wind hauls and she swings round to it, the cables will lead clear of
each other and there will be no chance of getting a foul anchor.

;*2nd Position.
> Wmd M.W
More flat board
cable paid out*.

Fig. 11.
In the Northern Jiemisphere the wind "hauls to the right, shifts of wind
from S.W* to N.W. being common occurrence.
A vessel riding to her port anchor (wind S.W.) may find it necessary