Gaskette. It is not prudent to go much nearer to the wreck,
for the gale may drift us upon it."
The second officer left the pilot-house, and found the crews all seated in
their boats, with everything in readiness to obey the order to lower away;
and he reported the fact to his superior.
"Starboard the helm, Bangs, and steer small!" said Captain Ringgold as soon
as the officer returned with the information he had obtained.
To "steer small" is to move the rudder very gradually; for if the course
were suddenly changed a quarter of the circumference of the compass in such
a sea as was then raging, it would be liable to make the steamer engage in
some disagreeable, if not dangerous, antics.
"Steady!" added the captain when the steamer was headed a point south of
west.
This position brought the starboard side of the ship on the lee; that is,
this part of the ship was sheltered from the fury of the wind and the
waves, and it was the proper situation in which to lower a boat into the
water; for on the windward side these two powerful forces would be likely
to stave the cutter against the side of the steamer.
After the commander had struck the gong to stop her, he gave the order to
the second officer to lower the first cutter; and he left the pilot-house
for this purpose. Mr. Boulong was an exceptionally skilful officer in the
handling of a boat in a heavy sea.
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