Page:The Wireless Operator with the U.S. Coast Guard.djvu/144

 High above the water line, at intervals of a few feet, open ports reached from stem to stern, and from each open port projected the grim and threatening muzzle of a cannon. Her three masts were the most enormous spars Henry had ever seen. Scores of feet they towered aloft, for mast stood upon mast, the topmast being surmounted with still a third mast, until there was a most bewildering array of shrouds and rigging. And such rigging! Often enough had Henry seen the rigging of modern sailing ships. He knew well enough what these rope ladders that lead to the crosstrees look like in modern boats. But here, instead of the customary three stays on a side, were stays after stays, with their crosspieces, so that many men at a time could swarm up and down the rigging, and out on those enormous spars to furl the sails, for the ship was a square rigger. And at the crosstrees were great platforms where a dozen men could stand. Henry saw right away the reason for these platforms. Sailors could stand here after furling the sails. Sharpshooters could be stationed here, where they could see over the smoke cloud, to pick off officers and men on opposing vessels, for in those days vessels fought side by side, and even sought to grapple each other so that crews could fight hand to hand. The old ship’s bowsprit, too, was of unbelievable dimensions, extending