or five places with spun-yarn, tied in a single bow, and to cast off all the gaskets: those men were strictly enjoined to he quick in obeying the commands given them, and to be extremely cautious not to let a sail fall, unless it was particularly named; as any mistake in that respect would occasion the loss of the ship. The yards were all braced sharp up for casting from the reef, and making sail on the starboard tack. The tacks and sheets, top-sail sheets, and main and mizen stay-sail haliards, were manned, and the spring hove taut: Captain Hayes now told his crew that they were going to work for life or death; if they were attentive to his orders, and executed them properly, the ship would be saved; if not, the whole of them would be drowned in a few minutes. Things being in this state of preparation, a little more of the spring was hove in, the quartermasters at the wheel received their instructions, and the cables were instantly cut; but the heavy sea on the larboard bow would not let her cast that away, the spring broke, and her head paid in towards the reef. The oldest seaman in the ship at that moment thought all lost; but the probability of her casting to starboard had happily been foreseen by Captain Hayes, who now, in the coolest manner, gave orders to ‘put the helm hard a-starboard; sheet home the fore-top-sail; haul on board the fore-tack, and aft fore-sheet[1]; keep all the other sails fast; square the main, mizen-top-sail, and cross jack yards; and keep the main-yard as it was.’ The moment the wind came abaft the beam, he ordered the mizen-top-sail to be sheeted home, and then the helm to be put hard a-port – when the wind was nearly aft, to haul on board the main-tack; aft main-sheet; sheet home the main-top-sail; and brace the cross-jack-yard up. When this was done, (the whole of which took only two minutes to perform,) the ship absolutely flew round from the reef, like a thing scared at the frightful spectacle. The quarter-masters were ordered to keep her South, and Captain Hayes declared aloud, ‘The ship is safe.’ The gaff was down, to prevent its holding wind; and the try-sail was bent ready for hoisting, had it been wanted. The fore-top-mast stay-sail was hoisted before the cables were cut; but the main and mizen-stay-sails, although ready, were not required. Thus was the ship got round in less than her own length; but in that short distance she altered the soundings five fathoms. And now, for the first time, I believe, was seen a ship at sea under reefed courses, and close reefed top-sails, with lower yards and topmasts struck. The sails all stood remarkably well; and, by this novel method, was saved a beautiful 74, with 550 persons on board.”
On his return to port, after performing the above extraordinary piece of seamanship, Captain Hayes proposed the cutting down of some ships of the line, and fitting them out for
- ↑ The yards being all braced sharp up for the starboard tack, it is obvious that the fore-sail and fore-top-sail were set as flat a-back as they could be; and that there was no necessity for altering them in bringing the ship to her course, in the way she was manoeuvred.
