Inexperienced as I was, I made out to steer to the satisfaction of the
officer, and neither S--- nor myself 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 knock the masts out of
her.
Friday, Nov. 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 there is always a high sea running, and the periods of calm
are 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.
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