The Thames to the Solent by canal and sea, or, The log of the Una boat "Caprice - Tapa blanda

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1868 Excerpt: ...and began to think it would be prudent to bring up there. But as time was our object, we determined to hold on as long as we could, for hitherto we had got along famously. The wind, after leaving Cowes, moderated a little, and the sea in duty bound followed suit, the rain ceased, and we actually had a glimpse of the sun. These favourable circumstances tended greatly to encourage us, and the little ship ploughed along manfully through the waves. As I have before narrated, we were complete novices in the art of working these Una-rigged boats, and the sailors we took on board as pilots were no wiser than ourselves; the result was that our reef tackle was all out of order, and we were forced to hold on under our full sail. Thus we continued on our way, making the best use we could of the ebb tide. The tides in the Solent are most puzzling, and it is very DIETT WEATHER. 73 necessary to engage a local man as pilot, unless great experience has been already acquired. The eddy tides, if artfully taken advantage of, are of the greatest assistance, as is proved every year at the regattas. We continued to beat along, under the shore of the Isle ofWight, for a short distance further, when we made a board across to the northern shore, in order to get the ebb tide out of the Southampton water. At about 3 P.m. we were nearing Lymington creek, and the weather had by this time become very stormy, the larger yachts had taken the precaution to shorten sail, but alas, we could not do so, and were obliged to hold on, all sail standing. The tide had now turned against us, and in order to enter the river, we were obliged to round a point known as ' Jack in the Basket,' beating against wind and tide. A nasty chopping sea had risen, which broke over and into us without mercy, obligi...