While this method may be applied to topsails and top-gallant-sails, I
especially apply it to courses, which, being so difficult to reef the
old way, may by this method be reefed from the deck in a few minutes.
After several years of trial by myself and others, on voyages around
Cape Horn under all circumstances of weather, of sleet and snow, this
method has always given the utmost satisfaction.
[Illustration: REEFING SAILS FROM THE DECK. Front View. Rear View.]
The average time required for reefing and setting was noted for five
years, being seven and one-half minutes.
This trial was made on a mainsail, the yard being seventy-one feet
long, and reefyard sixty-six feet long, eleven inches diameter at
center and nine at yard-arms.
By reference to the drawing it will be seen that it is not necessary
to have clewgarnets or buntlines in reefing. The operation is
performed by easing of the sheet and hauling the lee reef-tackle
first, also the midship reef tackle.
When the yardarm of the reefspar is up at the lee side, the sail
cannot sag to leeward when the tack is eased away. Now haul the
weather reef-tackle likewise midship, snug up to the yard, belay all
down the tack, and sheet aft.
As all the reef-tackles lead to the slings of the yard, there is no
impediment in swinging the yard when the reef-tackles are taut and
belayed.
The slack sail will not chafe, as it remains quiet, but if so desired
may be stopped up at leisure with only a few hands with stops provided
for that purpose.
In case of a sudden squall the sail may be hauled up the usual way.
The buntlines will draw the part of the sail below the reef well up on
the part above the reefyard, and remain becalmed, while the weight of
the reefspar will prevent any slatting or danger of losing the sail
any more than any other sail clewed up.
In case there is steam power at hand, all three reef-tackles may be
hauled simultaneously, easing sheet and tack sufficiently to let the
wind out of the sail without shaking.
There are other advantages gained by this method; while its
essentials are positive, quick reefing from the deck in all weathers,
it is also better reefed than by the old method. For by this new
method the sail is not strained or torn, and the sail will wear
longer, not being subject to such straining.
It may be carried longer, as the spar supports the sail like a band,
especially an old sail.
This method does not interfere with the use of the so called
midship-tack, but change of putting on bands, from the leech of the
sail at the reef to the center tack would be necessary.
The weight of the spar may be considered by some as objectionable, (an
old argument against double-topsail yards). The spar used for the reef
may be about one-half the diameter of the yard on which it is to be
used.
Such critics do not consider that a crew of men aloft on the yard are
several times heavier than such a spar.