332 NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE
of the bridle. Put it out over the bow and pay out a good drift on the
hawser.
Three spars lashed together in the form of an equilateral triangle
and covered with stout canvas would also answer the purpose. In this
case a three-legged bridle would have to be used and one corner weighted
as before.
Two spars lashed together in the form of a cross with a chain stretched
from arm to arm to form the outline would also do, but would require
a double bridle (four-legged); this would also have to be covered with
canvas and weighted at one corner to keep it vertical in the water.
The two last mentioned have the disadvantage of being heavy,
troublesome to make, and very awkward to handle.
A few large cargo baskets paid out on a long line would be easy to
rig and might prove good enough.
Any floating object that will offer reasonable resistance to the drift
of the ship will make a more or less efficient sea anchor.
An oil bag hauled out to the sea anchor by means of a block and
small line would be beneficial in very bad weather.
Heaving a Vessel off When Aground.
1. What would you do if your vessel ran aground, no tugs or shoje
assistance being available?
Sound the wells, and if she was not leaking do my best to get her
off again at the next high water.
If she was badly holed I should make sure that it was safe to get
her off into deep water before attempting to do so. If possible, I should
try to make a temporary stoppage of leaks before floating her, and in
the meantime run my spare bower and another bower anchor out ahead,
or take some other action to prevent her slipping off before I was
ready. Should also make quite sure that my pumps were able to deal
with any leakage that might remain or be likely to develop.
2. If you decided to get her off, how would you do it?
Take careful soundings to find out where the best water was, and
try to get her off at the next high water by using my engines and ballast
tanks to the best advantage. If practicable, shifting cargo might
help me. Should consider the possibility of discharging some cargo to
lighten her forward, but should not jettison cargo unless it became a
matter of extreme urgency.