330 NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
circumstances, when I should steer her by following astern and keeping
a little strain on the wires.
23. Your engines have broken down in heavy weather. What would
you do?
Keep the ship out of the trough of the sea as much as possible while
the engine-room staff get on with the repairs. If the water is not too
deep, unshackle the cable from one or both of the anchors, pay out a
long scope and let it drag along the bottom. Fore-and-aft sail might
also help to steady her. Spread oil to windward. If the water was
too deep for the cables to keep her head up, should do the best I could
with a sea anchor. Hoist the "Not under command" signal.
24. Your ship has a right-handed propeller. How would you turn her
short round with her head to port?
Let go the port anchor under foot. Go slow ahead on the engines
with the rudder to port. When turned sufficiently heave the anchor
up again and proceed.
25. You are bound to the Bristol Channel in ballast from the Continent.
Heavy westerly gales are blowing. How would you make
westing down towards Land's End?
Proceed down Channel with the ebb tide, and if possible anchoi
against the flood. Take every possible advantage of changes in wind
and weather. Get in a good position to bring up each time the tide
turned against me. If I could not do any good against it, should run
in for shelter. The Downs, under the lee of the Isle of Wighi^ Wey-
mouth Bay, Portland Eoads, Tor Bay, Falmouth and Mount Bay all
offer good shelter in westerly gales.
26. You are anchored ahead of some vessels riding to the flood tide. Port
anchor down. No steam on the main engines. How would
you get her up the river and enter a dock on your starboard
hand?
I should dredge her up the river with the tide, passing in between
the river bank and the vessels astern. Heave in cable until the anchor
is nearly under foot and she will drag it along over the bottom. Wheel
to starboard to shear ship to starboard clear of the vessels astern and
dredge laterally and stern first up the river. When far enough across
to clear the vessels at anchor, straighten her up by easing the helm
and dredge her stern first up the river, closing in towards the dock