The use of the lowering-rope between the fish-pendant and the anchor-strap admits of unhooking the fish-pendant after the anchor is lowered into place under the boat. The weighing-line is shackled to the end of the lowering-rope after the fish-pendant is unhooked, or sooner if the eye is large enough. As the weighing-line will, in most cases, be of wire, a buoyrope is needed for recovering the end. In all cases like the present one, where the hanging-line from the boat leads off at an angle at the time when it begins to take the weight of the anchor, a strong pull will be exerted dragging the boat toward the anchor. This is not necessarily a matter of great importance, but is a factor to be reckoned with. As its tendency is to draw the boat against the lowering-rope, it is well to use a chafing-spar alongside to protect the bilge. The launch's mast may conveniently be used for this. Plate 89. The hauling-line leads from the ring of the anchor to the ship. It is usually bent to the ring and run out with the anchor as has been described in connection with the First Method above. A better way, with a heavy anchor, is to use a hauling-pendant on the ring of the anchor, long enough to reach well above water when the anchor is let go. The boat holds on by this pendant (or by a lighter line bent to the eye), and the real hauling-line is sent out by another boat and shackled on. By thus carrying out the anchor and the line separately much trouble is saved. Ten fathoms is a convenient length for the hauling-pendant, and should answer for all ordinary demands, although it may, of course, become necessary to lay out an anchor in water much deeper than this. If it is preferred not to let the anchor hang "ring-down," a manila line may be bent to the ring and brought in over the stern of the boat, holding the ring well up under the keel. A 5-inch manila line should be large enough for this, even with a heavy bower. Or the hauling-line may be utilized for this purpose, the bight being stopped up to the boat and holding the ring up. Of course, if the anchor has a balancing-link it may be handled altogether by this; in which case, however, the weighing-line must be bent independently to the crown to admit of breaking out the anchor-crown first. In this case the lowering-rope and hanging-pendant are shackled to the balancing-link. In the absence of a balancing-link, the anchor may be balanced perfectly by a strap passed around the shank at the balancing point-which is never more than a few inches from the crown— and held from slipping by a lashing around the crown. No lashing from the ring is necessary as the very short distance which the strap could slip toward the crown would be of trifling importance. Under ordinary conditions, however, there is no disadvantage in allowing the anchor to hang ring-heavy, supporting the ring if necessary as in Plate 89; and the arrangement of lines and straps there shown will in general be found convenient. In dealing with a bower or sheet anchor, it is necessary to provide for unbending the chain. It is convenient to disconnect either at the 5-fathom shackle or at the end of the triplet, and to bend the hauling-line to the end of the length of chain which remains on the anchor instead of directly to the ring. The shackle may be veered outside and handled there or we may bend a wire hawser to the cable inside, just forward of the shackle, take it to the winch and haul taut, after which we unshackle and veer away by the line. In handling the chain outside, the weight is taken by slip-ropes and jiggers from the forecastle. It is often very difficult to handle a boat under the bow; as for example, when there is a heavy sea running, or a strong current. Under such circumstances one or more kedges may be laid out and the boat controlled by lines from these, and from the ship. If the ship is not fitted with an anchor-davit, or if for any reason the anchor cannot be handled under the bow, the boat-crane must be used, a heavy block being lashed to the head of the crane and a wire line led through this and taken to the bow, or wherever else the anchor is stowed. If dealing with a bower or sheet, the line is bent to the anchor-strap on the crown, and the anchor is let go and hove up to the crane, crown first, where it is handled as may be desired. Under many circumstances this plan is more convenient than any other, even though an anchor-davit is available. It would probably be practicable under favorable circumstances -everything being quiet under the bow- to take the anchor directly from the hawse-pipe, as follows: A strap is put on the crown and the anchor is eased down until the crown is awash. The hanging-pendant is brought around the bilge of the boat and shackled to the strap. A large kedge is planted off the bow with a good line for holding the boat clear. A wire-hawser, |