The Cruise of the Kate. (Paperback)

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1870. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. FROM RAMSGATE TO SOUTHAMPTON. Some people have a great objection to starting expeditions on a Friday. That day with me has been rather a lucky one than otherwise; at any rate, no dire calamity has happened to the compass, for instance, because it was adjusted on a Friday, the charming needle pointed as correctly on that day as on any other, and the weather has also been propitious. Certainly the Friday on which I started from Ramsgate Harbour was as fine a day as any sailor could wish for. I found myself, on June 18, at 5 A.M., in a novel position, namely, sailing alone in a boat by myself for the first time in my life. Wondering how I should feel, I lit a pipe to consider the matter; but somehow the matter never turned up, unless an increase of spirits could be considered as such. I made a circular course to Deal, so as to cheat the tide; the pier was passed at 7 A.M., when I found myself in company of a large 'THE KATE' LEADING. THE FLEET. 25 fleet of merchantmen, spread over some two or three miles. 'The Kate' had run past the greater number by the time that the South Foreland was rounded, and took the lead off Folkestone as the others were more or less forced into the stream. Low water compelled me to wait for three hours, until sufficient depth would allow the boat to enter and be moored. I stood off and on for some time, and was carried by the strong tide to leeward of the pier, having kept a good way out to avoid a reef to the east of the harbour. The paddle assisted 'The Kate' to windward again, when I threw down the anchor by the pier until the tide served. The harbour is lined with numbers of chains which form the moorings of the steamers and a perfect crowd of fishing-smacks: it was lucky that I employed a waterman to take the boat in and moor it, or I should ...