A Lecture, Or Essay On the most efficacious means of Preserving The Lives Of Shipwrecked Sailors And The Shipwreck

28 immense value of property, and thereby be importantly beneficial to the commercial interests of the country, and to the maritime world. At a distance from the shore, far beyond where the waves break into heavy surf, an anchor, connected to a chain, is laid out, and the chain suspended by a buoy : below the buoy a large block or roller (confined by a shackle, to prevent its twisting) is fixed to a ring in the upper link of the chain, and a warp reeved through the block, both ends of which, being kept on shore, are made fast to some elevated station, as a jetty head, lofty posts, or dolphins. A. Mooring anchor, of about 3 cwt. B. Chain, of half-inch diameter, of sufficient length to allow for the flow of tide. C. Buoy, of ample power to keep the chain nearly in an upright position ; yet that will not lift the anchor stock from the ground. D. Warp, of adequate strength for hauling off a large boat. N. B.—The block to be well bound with iron, and the swallow of it large enough to admit of splices in the warp, freely to pass through it. In applying the means, both ends of the warp are spliced together, making what seamen term a round rope or messenger, one part being made fast to the bow of the boat (the weather one, should the wind be not right ahead), and passed on to the boat’s quarter, where it is also