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Cautions and Directions

1. Never leave anything in the gangway, and keep the decks clear. 2. Coil up all ropes; and have a place for everything, and everything in its place. 3. Take care that in tacking or jibing the boom does not knock you overboard. 4. Stand clear of ropes' ends and blocks flying about, when you are tacking, and the sails shaking. 5. Keep a good look out ahead, and also for squalls, which may generally be observed to windward. 6. Always obey the orders of the steersman promptly. 7. Keep all your standing rigging taut. 8. When the boat is on the wind, sit on the weather side. 9. Should the boat capsize, keep yourself clear of the rigging, and swim ashore.

The young yachtsman should on no account attempt to take command of a boat till he is thoroughly experienced, and should never go in one without having at least one experienced hand on board; he should also always have his eyes open to what is going on, and be ever ready to lend assistance with the greatest promptitude. Quickness and agility are the characteristics of a sailor; without these, numerous would be the losses at sea. The casting off or belaying a rope quickly, is often attended with the most important consequences, in which the losing or saving of life may be concerned; and we would therefore advise all who are emulous of being sailors, to be attentive to their duties, quick in their evolutions, and steady in all their doings.