Life Lines

Ropes stretched along the decks to lay hold of, and by which the crew may save themselves from being washed overboard during heavy gales when the vessel is shipping seas. Also horizontal ropes stretched between the yard lifts and the mast, about four feet above the yard, as a support for the men on board a ship of war when manning yards. The line shot over a stranded vessel by the life-saving crew, and by which the hawser, breeches-buoy, etc., are hauled out to the vessel. The hawsers, etc., are secured in the manner shown in the engravings.