In launching a boat from the sea-beach, when it is rough, and there is
a heavy surf, the two bowmen must get into the boat with their oars run
out; and the other rowers follow the boat quickly in her descent; but
they should not jump in till she is quite afloat, lest their weight
might fix her on the beach, and she might ship a sea.
It may happen, that immediately on the boat floating, a sea shall take
the bow (before the rowers are sufficiently prepared with their oars
to keep her head out), and place her broadside to the waves. In this
situation, the boat is in danger of being swamped, and the lives of
those on board are in peril. When thus situated, it is best for two
of the rowers to go near the bow of the boat, and immediately force
each his boat-hook or oar on the ground, on the shore side of the
boat, as the most effectual, safe, and expeditious method of bringing
her head again to the sea. Should there be more than a usual swell,
both the rowers and the sitter, or steersman, cannot be too particular
in keeping, throughout, the head of the boat to the swell, as lying
broadside to a heavy sea is extremely dangerous.
In rowing, each man has in general a single oar, and sits on the
opposite side of the galley from the rullock through which his oar
passes. The oar must consequently cross the boat, and be held on its
opposite side, so as to clear the back of the man before.
It should be neither held nor pulled obliquely to the side by twisting
the body, as is practised by many, because the muscles in that case act
disadvantageously, and are sooner fatigued. The stroke must be longer
in sea than in river rowing. The oar must be thrown out with a heave,
caused by the simultaneous extension of the body and the arms. It is
still more essential to feather in sea than in river rowing.
The oar must be drawn back with great power, caused by the simultaneous
contraction of the body and arms; time with the other rowers being
accurately kept, and distinctly marked.
When the oars are delivered from the water, the time, until they go
into it again, may be counted, one, two, three,--when they pass through
the water. This time is kept by the strokesman, or sternmost man of the
rowers.
In landing, the word is, “in bow,” when the bowman or foremost man
gets the boat-hook ready to clear away for the shore, or the stairs.
The next word is from the coxswain, “rowed off all,” or “well rowed;”
when all the oars are laid in, with the blades forward, and the boat is
made fast.
In landing on the sea-beach, when there is a surf, the rowers may watch
for a smooth, and then give good way ashore, when the bowman should
instantly jump out with the headfast or penter, and pull her up, to
avoid shipping a sea. The distances run in this way are very great.
We have known four men, in a short galley, row thirty miles in four
hours, namely, from Dover to eight miles below Calais, or abreast of
Gravelines, on the opposite coast. In such a row, a London waterman
would have no skin left on his hands; and a member of the Funny Club
would, we suppose, have no hands left on his arms!