The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

456 NATURAL HISTORY OF WINDS.
23. By the same reason it also happens that 31. The lower boarsprit-sail can hardly ever be
all sails which are swelled by the wind, do gather unuseful, for it cannot be robbed from gathering
themselves into a kind of arch or bow, so that of the wind which way soever it doth blow, either
necessity much wind must slip through; inso- about the ship sides, or under the rest of the
much, that in such a ship as we made mention sails.
of, that arch may be as high as a man. 32. There is considerable* in the motion of
24. But in the triangular sail of the mizenmast winds in ships, both the impulsion and direction
there must of necessity be a lesser swelling than of them. For that direction, which is made by
in the quadrangular; as well because that figure the helm, doth not belong to the present inquisiis less capable, as, also, because that in the quad- tion, but only as it hath a connexion with the
rangular three sides are slack and loose, but in motion of the winds in the sails.
the triangular only two, so that the wind is more Connexion. As the motion of impulsion or
sparingly received. driving forward is in force at the beak, so is the
25. The motion of the wind in sails, the nearer motion of direction in the poop; therefore, for
it comes to the beak of the ship, the stronger it is, that the lower mizenmast sail is of greatest conand sets the ship more forward, partly because it cernment, for it is, as it were, an assistant to
is in a place where, because of the sharpness of the helm.
the beak-head, the waves are easilier cut in sun- 33. Seeing the compass is divided into two-andder; but, chiefly, because the motion at the beak thirty points, so that the semicircles of it are
draws on the ship; the motion from the stern sixteen points, there may be a progressive sailing,
and back part of the ship doth but drive it. (without any casting aboard, which is used when
26. The motion of the winds in the sails of the the wind is clean contrary,) though of the sixteen
upper tier advances more than that in the lower parts there be but six favourable, and the other
tier, because a violent motion is most violent ten contrary. But that kind of sailing depends
when it is farthest removed from resistance, as in much upon the lower sail of the mizenimast. For..the wings and sails of windmills; but there is whilst the adverse parts of the wind, being more
danger of drowning or overturning the ship: powerful and not to be opposed by the helm
wherefore those sails are made narrower at the alone, would turn the other sails, and the ship
top, that they should not take in too much wind, itself, against its intended course, that sail being
and are chiefly made use of when there is not stiffly stretched, favouring the helm, and strengthmuch wind. uening its motion, turns the beak into the way of
27. Sails being placed in a direct line, one its course.
b-hind the other, of necessity those sails which 34. All manner of wind in the sails doth somestand behind must steal the wind from the fore- what burden and depress the ship, and so much
most when the wind blows foreright; wherefore, the more when it blows most from above. So
if they be all spread out at once, the force of the that in the greatest storms, first they lower their
wind hath scarce any power but in the mainmast yards and take away the upper sails, and if need
sails, with little help of the lower sails of the be, all the rest, cut down the masts, cast their
boarsprit. goods into the sea; and their ordnance, &c., to
28. The best and most convenient ordering of lighten the ship and make it swim and give
sails, in a direct wind, is to have the two lower way to the waves.
sails of the foremast hoisted up, for there (as we 35. By this motion of the winds in the sails of
said before) the motion is most effectual; let also ships, (if it be a merry and prosperous gale,) a
the topsail of the mainmast be hoisted up, for merchant's ship may sail sixscore Italian miles
there will be so much room left under it, that in four-and-twenty hours; for there are certain
there may be wind sufficient for the foresails, packet boats which are built a purpose for swiftwithout any notable stealing of the wind from ness, (that are called caravels,) which will go
them. further. But when the wind is clean contrary,
29. By reason of the hinder sails stealing of they fly to this last refuge, and a very weak one,
the wind away from the foresails, we sail swifter to go on their course, namely, to proceed sidewith a side wind than with a fore wind. For way, as the wind will suffer them, out of their
with a side wind all the sails may be made use course, then turn their way again towards their
of, for they turn their sides to one another, and so course, and so proceed in an angular way. By
hinder nor rob not one another. which progression (which is less than creeping,
30. Likewise, when a side wind blows, the for serpents creep on by crooked turnings, but
sails are stifflier stretched out against the wind, they make angles) they may, in four-and-twenty
which somewhat restrains the wind, and sends it hours, go fifteen miles' journey.
that way as it should blow, whereby it gains some
strength. But that wind is most advantageous Greater Observations.
which blows cornerly between a fore wind and a 1. This motion of winds in sails of ships hath
s;de wind, * i. e. to be considered.