[50] To haul the sheets aboard, or more a-midships, by which means
the vessel’s head will come closer to the point the wind blows from.
To haul the vessel to the wind, ease the helm down[51] a little. Haul
in the main-sheet upon the proper mark. Bowse the foresheet, and haul
the jib-sheet well aft. Bowse the runner and tackle well taut.
[51] To leeward.
The vessel is now on the wind, plies to windward, or is
close-hauled.[52]
[52] These terms all imply one thing, viz., that the vessel is
sailing as near as possible to the point whence the wind blows.
No square-rigged vessel will sail within less than six, and no
fore-and-aft rigged vessel within less than five, points of the wind,
to have any head-way.
Being now apt to gripe, or come up into the wind with a sudden jerk,
now and again, she wall carry her helm more or less a-weather. The
helmsman must watch the weather-leach of the mainsail, to prevent the
vessel getting her head in the wind.