PAINTER. A painter is a length of line made fast into a ring bolt in the stem of boats, used for making the boat fast, to tow by,

etc.

GUNWALE. The gunwale of a boat is the upper rail.

YOKE.

A piece of wood or metal fitted across the head of a boat's rudder.

YOKE LINES. Pieces of rope made fast to the yoke by which the rudder is turned and the boat steered.

BOAT DAVITS. Pieces of timber or iron projecting over a vessel's sides or stern to hoist boats up to.

PLUG. The wooden stopper fitted into a hole in the bottom of the boat to let in or keep out water.

FLOORING. The bottom of the boat.

BOAT BOOMS. The booms on either side of a vessel to which the boats ride when the ship is at anchor.

BOAT BREAKER. A small keg used for carrying fresh water.

BOAT RECALL. An understood signal made from the ship to summon a boat to return.

GRIPES. Long strips of canvas leading from the davit ends, and passing under a boat to secure it. They are set taut by lanyards.

BOAT FENDERS. Small shapes of canvas stuffed and hung over a boat's side, to prevent it from chafing.

BOAT SERVICE.*

In the following, the gig is supposed to be manned, and lying alongside the gangway.

After the gig is reported ready to the commander, he will direct his guests to enter the boat first, † and after they are all seated he will receive and return the sailing-master's salute, then take his place in the gig-care having been observed to leave the stern-sheets clear for him, and the yoke ropes ready to hand.

The commander will observe that his private signal is stepped in the bows, that the seating of his guests does not interfere with the stroke oarsman, and will then call--" SHOVE OFF FORWARD!"

When this order is given, the man in the bows shoves the boat's head away from the ship's side, stows his boat-hook, and lays his hands on his oar.

The next order is-"UP OARS!"

The crew will simultaneously seize and raise their proper oars briskly to the vertical (keeping their eyes on the stroke oarsman), and hold them thus directly in front of them, the blades being fore-and-aft, the ends of the oars held clear of the boat's bottom; the oarsmen sitting on the port side of the boat holding the oars with the right hand down, and those sitting on the starboard side holding the oars with the left hand down. The oarsmen sitting on the port side of the boat pull the starboard oars, and the oarsmen sitting on the starboard side of the boat pull the port oars. The next command is- "LET FALL!"

The oars must be dropped into the rowlocks together, care being taken to prevent the blades from striking the waterblades flat to the water and leveled.

*

Sailing-masters should make themselves familiar with the boat etiquette of the club their yacht belongs to.

+ The commander should always be the last to enter a boat, and the first to leave it.

Next give the order--" GIVE WAY!"

The boat is now under way, the crew taking the style of pulling from the stroke oarsman.

In running alongside of a vessel or float-stage, give the boat sufficient impetus to "reach;" then call, while the blades are in the water-"WAY ENOUGH!

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The men will finish the stroke, and at the coxswain's word to TOSS!" they will raise their oars simultaneously to a vertical position, and lay them, with as little noise as possible, amidships in the boat in a line with the keel, the blades pointing forward. The stroke and bow oarsmen seize their boat-hooks, and as the boat runs alongside they stop its way and hold it.

NOTES.

Never allow a boat's crew to splash the water with the blades of their oars when the order to "let fall" is executed.

Talking among a boat's crew, or turning the head to observe any object while the boat is under way, should never be allowed.

The starboard after oar is called the "stroke-oar," and gives the stroke, the remainder of the crew taking the style from it; consequently, it should be manned by the best man in the boat.

In rowing, the blade of each oar should be lifted as high as the gunwale after it leaves the water, then feathered by dropping the wrist. A short pause should then be made, and the oar next thrown well forward, and dropped edgewise into the water, taking care to avoid splashing. Now, rip the oar through the water with a hearty swing, and then repeat as above.

If it is required to turn a boat suddenly, or short round to starboard, then give the order to "Give way port; back starboard." If it is required to turn short to port, then, "Give way starboard; back port."

When the boat is pointed aright, then, "Give way together."

In backing, as in pulling, the crew should always keep stroke with the stroke-oar of their respective sides.

Never send a boat away from a ship at night, without being provided with a lantern, as many a boat has been run down through inability to make its presence known.

Remember, in running alongside a ship or landing, that the deeper the boat is freighted, the longer she will carry her way in the water.

In leaving a ship in foggy weather, provide the boat with a fog-horn and compass, and judge as nearly as possible the bearing of the landing you wish to make. Take the opposite of this bearing to return to the ship, making in both cases due allowance for tide.

The boats should always be kept in perfect condition, and, unless the crew are required to shift themselves, not more than three minutes should elapse between the time the boat is called away and its arrival at the gangway, manned and ready.

Never send away a gig's crew unless they are dressed alike, and look "spick and span." Hat ribbons should always be worn by a boat's crew.

Nothing shows the good discipline of a yacht more than efficient boat service; and it is worthy of all pains and consideration.

The ranking officer should always be the last to enter a boat, and the first to leave it. He will, also, command the boat.

CAUTION AT NIGHT.

UNDER WAY.-Always have a lookout stationed forward, and in case of unusual darkness or thick weather, it is better to have two lookouts—one on either bow. As soon as a light or a sail is sighted, it should be reported in clear, sharp tones to the officer of the deck, who will at once convince himself as to its character, and whether his vessel or the one reported has the "right of way," and act accordingly.

AT ANCHOR.-As soon as it is dark the "anchor-watch" should be set. According to the number of crew available, the length of time for each man to guard the deck should be regulated, so that from the time the first anchor watch is set until all hands are called in the morning, the watches shall be uniform, and no one man called on deck twice during the night.

It is the duty of the watch to keep continually on the alert, examining the mooring occasionally, visiting the quarter deck, keeping an eye to the bright burning of the anchor light, observing the drift lead, the swinging of his own vessel with the tide, also of the vessels around him, and being careful that no boat gets alongside his vessel unawares. In case a boat is seen making for the yacht, it should be hailed-"boat-a-hoy!" and if the hail is answered satisfactorily, the boat can be allowed to board, but if not it must be warned off. In case of danger, pound on the top of the forecastle slide with anything available, at the same time calling "all hands!" in a voice calculated to rouse the sleepers, and then, until the deck is officered, act yourself under the circumstances as your common sense dictates.

The anchor-watch should strike the ship's bells regularly during the night.