Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 40, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1910 — On a Sailing Vessel. [ARTICLE]

On a Sailing Vessel.

Instead of the usual routine w6rk on 3, steamer—paint washing and so forth —the work on a sailing ship varies widely. It may be making or shortening sail, bending or unbending fine or heavy weather canvas, squaring in or bracing up the yards, tacking or wearing ship, and, no matter what the labor, one always had the satisfaction of seeing the result. The speed and sailing qualities of a vessel were things that could be discussed with interest as well as the length of passage. In bad weather, when excitement ran high and cursing was considered quite in order, struggling up aloft with wet or frozen canvas—one hand for the ship and the other for yourself—on a dark, dirty night put a man on his mettle, and should the foresail be handled or the main topsail settled and the cry of “Splice the main brace!” be heard — well, one felt at peace with the world. In the tropics catching sharks, harpooning dolphins and porpoises, singing, dancing, telling yarns and reading over old love letters are diversions not easily forgotten by those who have experienced them. Being becalmed in the tropics on a beautiful moonlight night brought home to one the beauties and wonders of nature and the existence of a God with whom one felt In closer touch on such nights as those. —A British Marine Officer in Atlantic.