by broaching to, or by running her bows under water. Her way should therefore be stopped on the approach of each dangerous sea that overtakes her, and this is effected in either of the three following ways:—1. By turning the boat's head to the sea before entering the broken water, and then backing in stern foremost, pulling a few strokes ahead to meet each heavy sea, and then again backing astern. 2. If rowing to shore with the stern to seaward, by backing the oars on the approach of a heavy sea, and rowing ahead again as soon as it has passed the bow of the boat. This is the best method if the boat is a long one with a pointed stern like a whale-boat. 3. If rowed in bow foremost, by towing astern a pig of ballast or large stone, or a drogue, so as to hold the boat's stern back.
When running for the shore through a heavy sea a head-sail only should be used, and this should be reefed if it is large. It is usually safer to lower masts and sails and work the boat to shore with oars alone.
Where a shore is flat the water breaks far out, the more dangerous breakers being in comparatively deep water; and as one nears the land the danger lessens, the force of the sea gradually expending itself. Consequently a boat, whether she be brought in stern or bow first, is kept straight before the sea until she grounds, when the crew jump out and haul her up the beach.
