Page:Small-boat sailing; an explanation of the management of small yachts, half-decked and open sailing-boats of various rigs; sailing on sea and on river; cruising, etc (IA smallboatsailing01knig).pdf/87

 cannot slip. It is of the utmost importance that the snotter should be strong, and it should be replaced so soon as it shows any signs of wearing out; for should the snotter, on which there is always a great strain, happen to break when the boat is under way in a breeze, the sprit may be driven through the bottom of the boat. The thing that the skipper of a Thames barge dreads most in bad weather is that his heavy sprit should get adrift and 'take command.'

This is one of the safest of sails. The sprit can be quickly unshipped in a squall, and then the sail blows out a mere flag, offering little