Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1890-02-06
"A VESSEL HEAVING TO.
A Nautical Operation Fraught with
Great Danger.
Tho PorilS OF q Storm on the OooAn-LNy-
Ing Aloft In n HowlinH Brse1a-how
Ship Weathers q Gale-Cut-
ting Away the MaStS.

formed by nearly every sailing vessel
caught on the coast during the recent
storm, is never resorted to by merchant
vessels until it becomes absolutely nee
essary. The moment vessel is shove
to-" says the New York Times, she be-
comes practically stationary, the object
being merely to keep her head to the
seas" Among the many vessels caught
outside during the gale was every type
OF craft known to "deep-water voy-
ages" There were East India clip
pers, West India briggs, banks, barken-
tines and schooners, and few steamers.
Many Of the East India packets had
been out over one hundred and twenty
days. For many days prior to tho
storm the sky had been overcast. Only
occasionally would the sun appear, and
then for 80 short time as to render
even a catch "sight" we'll nigh out Of
the question. In consequence many
ships had been running by dead reck
oning," making the supposed position of
the vessel a most uncertain one.
Under such conditions were vessels
overtaken by tho terrible northeaster.
Wind and sea aided each other in MAX
Ing navigation perilous, the seas threat
ening at every moment to roll over on
the decks of the fleeing vessels. Some
craft, perhaps better able to stand tho
seas, held on, steering on q supposed
true course for port. In laying off this
course the base has been taken from q
supposed true position of the ship. In
stead OF sighting the entrance the look
out is heard calling: Breakers aheadw
To one unacquainted with q seafaring
life the horror which accompanies such
a sound beggars description. Let it be
night time and the horror is increased.
There is but ono thing to do, and
that quickly-to call: "All hands save
shipr'
The vessel is on a lee shore. the gale
Is blowing her right on, and unless she
can be made to beat up in tho wind,
head off and clear the coast, she will
beach. Up comes every body with
rush, half-dresscd, half-dazed, but fully
alive to the danger. The moment the
seamen reach the deck tho cutting wind
makes wide awake all hands.
GLAND down the helm! Let fly the
head-sheets, lee head and main, and
weather cross-jack braces! Spankor
sheet" AS fast as the orders fly from
the bridge the men jump to thcirstations.
Round comes the great ship and up into
the wind. The head sails flap with
tremendous force, threatening to fly out
of the leach ropes with every roll. Now
the spanller is being hauled a-weather.
Sne feels it, and, as the stern flies of,
her head comes right up into the mass
OF soothing waters.
in 10 nj
weather cross-jack braces!' Already the
mon arc at their places, and up come
the weather yaru arms into tho wind
Tho vessel is now broadside to the seas
1t Is question of life and death
whether She will stop. If she but con-
tinues to come up all we'll. A drag has
been got over from forward. To it Is
bent a hawser leading through quarter
chock. The drag is we'll away from the
snip. On to the hawser jump the crew,
Away they go with q crash. The drag
hawser is run right to tho bows, and at
the same time the bow comes up RAPIDLY.
Not moment too soon. A great sea
the next instant lifts tho ship high into
the air. Had it caught her "broadside
to" it would have plunged tons of green
crafts bow has met it. She rose as the
wave advanced and plunged heavily for
ward as it rushed under her.
Should tho wind still continue 10 in
crease in violence the topsail will bo
oosC-winged. This latter sail ia kent
on as long as possible because OF its be-
ing above tho waves. Under main
spencer alone tho ship has but little op-
porLunity to feel the wind, tho waves
serving as abulwark. Should, however,
goose-winged topsail and main spen-
Ger prove too much, tarpaulins placed
in the lee mizzen rigging may hold her
up.
IL she still continues to heel over the
crew will cut away the foremost by cut
ting tho weather laniards. If this will
not right her awav will po tho ,oi,yon