Published in 1968 this is a fictional story contrived to tell of life on a sailing barge. Set in the 1930s and going, via Dunkirk, through the War much of it is set on the “Singing Swan”. The thinly disguised author joins as an occasional third mate and gives a brilliant description of what goes on. There is a long, detailed description of anchoring and some good racing. He speaks of the “ruffles” (the teeth) on the windlass and flaking the chain. It’s a great read.
See page 219 for a description of the windlass and also Capstan equation – Wikipedia = a connection between Euler’s e and barges!
Good quotes:
When the wind shifts against the sun
Trust it not for back ’twill run.
Everything about her was practical before it was beautiful and it was beautiful because it was right
The bowline is the king of knots – or, more precisely, bends;
A bowline on a bollard is the best of journey’s ends.
And, as long as men are mariners I think it’s safe to say,
Here is thing that never will be done another way.
The sailor’s knots have qualities he’d welcome in a bride –
Hold firm while they are wanted, yet are easily untied;
The more strain you put on them, the tighter do they stick;
They are fastened in a flash but you can cast them off as quick.