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[Page 3]
Labour or Risk. I need not say how heavy and Dangerous that Manouvre is with Two Common Courses, or how unpleasing the Alternative of Splitting the Sails by Coming to the Wind before they are set, or of running to leward, with ungovernable way thro' the Water, to set them. The great Difficulty and Risk attending this operation, even when Performed by the most experienced Officers, in the best Manned Ships, is almost always the Cause of Fleets and Squadrons being Separated in bad weather, very often to the Great Detriment of the State, and I should hope that, in that instance, the excellence of Triangular Courses will not be the least Conspicuous.
If when these Two Courses are Set, the Main, Fore and Mizzon Staysails are hoisted, (The Effect of which three sails do not in the least obstruct, or the main topsail; if it was wanted) then would be as much Canvass out, as, or more than with the Common Courses, with which those Staysails are nearly Useless, and the Ship would not only work with very few Men, but she would be Snug for the reception of any Weather: at a Moments Warning.
A Ship taken aback, when laying too under this Main-Sail, needs only to Square the yard, and, when she has fallen off, either way to fill it again.
If a lower yard is shot or Carried away, this Sail may be set with the Clew (A) upwards, by means of a Tack and a Sheet at D.D. which is blowing weather, may be very useful, either in Pursuing or avoiding an Enemy, or keeping from a Lee-Shore. It might likewise be put to the same use, hoisted with a Top tackle - Pendant, after loosing a Common Mainsail, (supposing it was unbent at that Time) if the Ship laboured so much for want of Sail, as to Prevent the Dreadful operation of Bending one in the those Circumstances.
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