322 NICEOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
36. What would happen if other vessels were anchored so near that you
4had not enough room to round her to before bringing up?
I should use my engines and steam away clear of them. Whether
I went ahead or came full speed astern would depend on the positions
of the other vessels, the depth of water, my distance from the river
bank, etc.
If not able to do this, I should drop my starboard anchor immediately
and snub her round with it. The cable would be across the stem
until she swung round, but that could not be avoided in this special
case of emergency. Should ease the strain on the cable by going
ahead on the engines as soon as practicable.
37. Would you prefer to make a running moor with the tide or against
the tide, and for what reason?
I should prefer to make it against the tide. The reason is that
there is not so much risk involved by stemming the tide and steaming
up against it, as there is by dropping the anchor while going with the
tide and swinging her round to it. Too much strain may be brought
on the cable and windlass by the latter method, even though the ship
may have been going very slowly.
38. When mooring a ship, why do you sometimes give her more cable
on one anchor than on the other?
Because in many places the tide runs stronger in one direction
than it does in the other, and more cable is required on that anchor
which will have to hold the ship against the stronger tide.
Prevailing winds blowing with the flood would make it necessary
to give her more cable on the anchor holding her to the flood tide; if
they blew- with the ebb, she would want more on the anchor holding
her when riding to the ebb.
SENIOR OFFICER'S WORE.
ACCIDENTS,
The internal organisation and appliances on board ship are designed
to enable the routine work to be carried out smoothly and without
accident, but "to err is human" and materials may fail at a critical
period. It is the duty of responsible officers to anticipate sudden
emergency calls and to think out in advance what should be done on
tie event of various contingencies arising, Circumstances alter cases