Part 43 (1/2)
Notwithstanding the impatience of the crew, and their desire to be on deck, where they could see the wreck, the service on that Sunday forenoon was especially impressive. Mr. Agneau prayed earnestly for those who were suffering by the perils of the sea, and that those who should draw near unto them in the hour of their danger, might be filled with the love of G.o.d and of man, which would inspire them to be faithful to the duties of the occasion.
When the service was ended the students went on deck again. The wreck could now be distinctly seen. It was a s.h.i.+p of five or six hundred tons, rolling helplessly in the trough of the sea. She was apparently water-logged, if not just ready to go down. As the Young America approached her, her people were seen to be laboring at the pumps, and to be baling her out with buckets. It was evident from the appearance of the wreck, that it had been kept afloat only by the severest exertion on the part of the crew.
”Mr. Peaks, you will see that the boats are in order for use,” said Mr.
Lowington. ”We shall lower the barge and the gig.”
”The barge and the gig, sir,” replied the boatswain.
”Captain Gordon,” continued the princ.i.p.al, ”two of your best officers must be detailed for the boats.”
”I will send Mr. Kendall in the barge, sir.”
”Very well; he is entirely reliable. Whom will you send in the gig?”
”I am sorry Shuffles is not an officer now, for he was one of the best we had for such service,” added the captain.
”Shuffles is out of the question,” replied Mr. Lowington.
”Mr. Haven, then, in the gig.”
”The sea is very heavy, and the boats must be handled with skill and prudence.”
”The crews have been practised in heavy seas, though in nothing like this.”
The barge and the gig--called so by courtesy--were the two largest boats belonging to the s.h.i.+p, and pulled eight oars each. They were light and strong, and had been built with especial reference to the use for which they were intended. They were life-boats, and before the s.h.i.+p sailed, they had been rigged with life-lines and floats. If they were upset in a heavy sea, the crews could save themselves by clinging to the rope, buoyed up by the floats.
The Young America stood up towards the wreck, intending to pa.s.s under her stern as near as it was prudent to lay, the head of the dismasted s.h.i.+p being to the north-west.
”Boatswain, pipe all hands to muster,” said the captain, prompted by Mr.
Lowington, as the s.h.i.+p approached the wreck.
”All hands on deck, ahoy!” shouted the boatswain, piping the call.
The first lieutenant took the trumpet from the officer of the deck, and the crew, all of whom were on deck when the call was sounded, sprang to their muster stations.
”All hands, take in courses,” said the executive officer; and those who were stationed at the tacks and sheets, clew-garnets and buntlines, prepared to do their duty when the boatswain piped the call.
”Man the fore and main clew-garnets and buntlines!” shouted the first lieutenant. ”Stand by tacks and sheets!”
The fore and main sail, being the lowest square sails, are called the courses. There is no corresponding sail on the mizzenmast. The ropes by which the lower corners of these sails are hauled up for furling are the clew-garnets--the same that are designated clewlines on the topsails.
The tacks and sheets are the ropes by which the courses are hauled down, and kept in place, the tack being on the windward side, and the sheet on the leeward.
”All ready, sir,” reported the lieutenants forward.
”Haul taut! Let go tacks and sheets! Haul up!”
These orders being promptly obeyed, the courses were hauled up, and the s.h.i.+p was under topsails and top-gallant sails, jib, flying-jib, and spanker.