be greatly
opened by her violent straining, and it is not so much the case when
scudding. Often, too, it becomes necessary to scud a vessel, either when
the blast is so exceedingly furious as to tear in pieces the sail which
is employed with a view of bringing her head to the wind, or when,
through the false modelling of the frame or other causes, this main
object cannot be effected.

Vessels in a gale of wind are laid-to in different manners, according
to their peculiar construction. Some lie-to best under a foresail, and
this, I believe, is the sail most usually employed. Large square-rigged
vessels have sails for the express purpose, called storm-staysails.
But the jib is occasionally employed by itself,--sometimes the jib
and foresail, or a double-reefed foresail, and not unfrequently the
after-sails, are made use of. Foretopsails are very often found to
answer the purpose better than any other species of sail. The Grampus
was generally laid-to under a close-reefed foresail.

When a vessel is to be laid-to, her head is brought up to the wind just
so nearly as to fill the sail under which she lies when hauled flat aft,
that is, when brought diagonally across the vessel. This being done,
the bows point within a few degrees of the direction from which the wind
issues, and the windward bow of course receives the shock of the waves.
In this situation a good vessel will ride out a very heavy gale of wind
without shipping a drop of water, and without any further attention
being requisite on the part of the crew. The helm is usually lashed
down, but this is altogether unnecessary (except on account of the noise
it makes when loose), for the rudder has no effect upon the vessel when
lying-to. Indeed, the helm had far better be left loose than lashed very
fast, for the rudder is apt to be torn off by heavy seas if there be no
room for the helm to play. As long as the sail holds, a well modelled
vessel will maintain her situation, and ride every sea, as if instinct
with life and reason. If the violence of the wind, however, should tear
the sail into pieces (a feat which it requires a perfect hurricane to
accomplish under ordinary circumstances), there is then imminent danger.
The vessel falls off from the wind, and, coming broadside to the sea,
is completely at its mercy: the only resource in this case is to put her
quietly before the wind, letting her scud until some other sail can be
set. Some vessels will lie-to under no