Page:Yachting wrinkles; a practical and historical handbook of valuable information for the racing and cruising yachtsman (IA yachtingwrinkles00keneiala).pdf/177

 than by dead reckoning—a hit or miss method always unreliable.

The wages of mates vary. Some of them are paid $10 or $15 a month more than the men, whose pay ranges between $25 and $30 a month. This is much more than is paid to English yacht sailors, who have to feed themselves out of their pay.

The mate's duty is to take charge of the yacht when the master is below. When the master is on deck the mate's station is forward. He superintends the setting, taking in and trimming of sails, and in a general way carries out the skipper's orders. He is a very important man in a race, for then the captain's place is at the helm and the mate is responsible for the proper working of the vessel and the prompt setting of balloon sails. If any of the running gear gets foul or parts he is tolerably certain of a brisk dressing-down, especially if the mishap causes the loss of the race. The reason of this is because he has charge of all the gear and sails and spars, and is responsible for their being always in good condition.

The mate superintends the work of getting under way, sees the head-sails clear for hoisting, looks after the windlass, sees that the hose is played on the chain cable if the vessel has brought up on muddy bottom. Also when coming to anchor he sees that the mud-hook is clear for letting go, all halyards ready for lowering, booms in good shape for