338

NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE

commenced, the disabled vessel paying out cable as desired. The
cable of the towing vessel was led between the bollards aft and lashed
to the other bollards along the deck to the windlass. It lay quiet and
easy and did not surge under the strain. The tow was comfortably
performed in Atlantic weather.

A great advantage is gained when towing in a seaway if the towing
steamer distributes oil, which will make a smooth for the towed vessel.

When the weather is such as to make it dangerous for the two
vessels to come near each other, communication may be established by
means of the line-throwing gun.

How to Make a Towrope Fast for an Ordinary Tow

art
oft/ie ftope

to Make the To us rope Fast.
Fig. 14.

Aft.

Tou//ng Part
of the /?o/je

A Better & Safer Way of Making the Towrojpe fast.
Fig. 15.
Fig. 14 represents how a towrope should nqf be made fast. By
this method the greater strain comes on the after bitt, which might be
the cause of the bitts lifting aft and being torn out.
Fig. 15 shows a safer way. Here the greater strain is taken by
the forward bitt, and though the after bitt has some they should hold
the ship under ordinary conditions. If the rope is backed to another
pair, further aft, greater security is obtained.