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My ship was also in better condition than when she sailed from Boston on her long voyage. She was still as sound as a nut, and as tight as the best ship afloat. She did not leak a drop - not one drop!

Hence a ship is said to head the sea, when her course is opposed to the setting or direction of the surges.

I think about myself as like an ocean liner that's been going full speed for a long distance, and the captain pulls the throttle back all the way to 'stop,' but the ship doesn't stop immediately, does it? It has its own momentum and it keeps on going, and I'm very flattered that people are still finding me useful.

He is the best sailor who can steer within fewest points of the wind, and exact a motive power out of the greatest obstacles.

If the workers took a notion they could stop all speeding trains; every ship upon the ocean they can tie with mighty chains.

With two people and luggage on board she draws four inches of water. Two canoe paddles will move her along at a speed reasonable enough in moderate currents.

It is not the ship so much as the skillful sailing that assures the prosperous voyage.

You can no longer just be a good sailor. You have to be an incredible athlete as well. Having said that, you can be a great athlete, the strongest guy in the world, but if you can't anticipate and make decisions under stress and exhaustion and think ahead, then you won't be able to cut it, either.