Two Years Before The Mast - IV

(Wiki) (movie - 1946) (Audiobook)

Two Years Before The Mast - III (Pages 27 - 29)

Sea Tales - Studding Sails In Fine Weather

We were now in the region of Cape Horn, with a fine breeze from the northward, topmast and top-gallant studding-sails set, and every prospect of a speedy and pleasant passage round.

Sea Tales - Rounding Cape Horn
Sea Tales - Heavy Weather at Sea

WEDNESDAY, November 5th. The weather was fine during the previous night, and we had a clear view of the Magellan Clouds and of the Southern Cross. The Magellan Clouds consist of three small nebulae in the southern part of the heavens, — two bright, like the milky- way, and one dark. They are first seen, just above the horizon, soon after crossing the southern tropic. The Southern Cross begins to be seen at 18° N., and, when off Cape Horn, is nearly overhead. It is composed of four stars in that form, and is one of the brightest constellations in the heavens.

During the first part of this day (Wednesday) the wind was light, but after noon it came on fresh, and we furled the royals. We still kept the studding-sails out, and the captain said he should go round with them if he could.

Just before eight o'clock (then about sundown, in that latitude) the cry of " All hands ahoy ! " was sounded down the fore scuttle and the after hatchway, and, hurrying upon deck, we found a large black cloud rolling on toward us from the southwest, and darkening the whole heavens. " Here comes Cape Horn ! " said the chief mate ; and we had hardly time to haul down and clew up before it was upon us.

In a few minutes a heavier sea was raised than I had ever seen, and as it was directly ahead, the little brig, which was no better than a bathing-machine, plunged into it, and all the forward part of her was underwater ; the sea pouring in through the bow-ports and hawse-holes and over the knight-heads, threatening to wash everything overboard. In the lee scuppers it was up to a man's waist.

We sprang aloft and double-reefed the topsails, and furled the other sails, and made all snug. But this would not do ; the brig was laboring and straining against the head sea, and the gale was growing worse and worse. At the same time sleet and hail were driving with all fury against us. We clewed down, and hauled out the reef-tackles again, and close-reefed the fore-topsail, and furled the main, and hove her to, on the starboard tack. Here was an end to our fine prospects.

We made up our minds to head winds and cold weather ; sent down the royal yards, and unrove the gear; but all the rest of the top hamper remained aloft, even to the sky-sail masts and studding-sail booms. Throughout the night it stormed violently, — rain, hail, snow, and sleet beating upon the vessel, — the wind continuing ahead, and the sea running high. At day break (about three a. m.) the deck was covered with snow. The captain sent up the steward with a glass of grog to each of the watch ; and all the time that we were off the Cape, grog was given to the morning watch, and to all hands whenever we reefed topsails. The clouds cleared away at sunrise, and, the wind becoming more fair, we again made sail and stood nearly up to our course.

Sea Tales - Steering Through A Gale

Thursday, November 6th. It continued more pleasant through the first part of the day, but at night we had the same scene over again. This time we did not heave to, as on the night before, but endeavored to beat to windward under close-reefed topsails, balance-reefed try sail, and fore top-mast staysail. This night it was my turn to steer, or, as the sailors say, my trick at the helm, for two hours. Inexperienced as I was, I made out to steer to the satisfaction of the officer, and neither Stimson nor I gave up our tricks, all the time that we were off the Cape. This was something to boast of, for it requires a good deal of skill and watchfulness to steer a vessel close hauled, in a gale of wind, against a heavy head sea. " Ease her when she pitches," is the word ; and a little carelessness in letting her ship a heavy sea might sweep the decks, or take a mast out of her.

Sea Tales - Chopping Sea vs. Long Swells

Friday, November 7th. Towards morning the wind went down, and during the whole forenoon we lay tossing about in a dead calm, and in the midst of a thick fog. The calms here are unlike those in most parts of the world, for here there is generally so high a sea running, with periods of calm so short that it has no time to go down ; and vessels, being under no command of sails or rudder, lie like logs upon the water. We were obliged to steady the booms and yards by guys and braces, and to lash everything well below. We now found our top hamper of some use, for though it is liable to be carried away or sprung by the sudden " bringing up " of a vessel when pitching in a chopping sea, yet it is a great help in steadying a vessel when rolling in a long swell, — giving more slowness, ease, and regularity to the motion.