Midshipman at the wheel of a sailing vessel, with the caption: 'Nothing off Boy Luff'

Bound with PAH4887-PAH4943. A midshipman at the helm of a small naval vessel in the 1790s, showing the double wheel then in use on many ships (for bad-weather control by up to four men) the binnacle lower right and a log-line on a reel set in the taffrail behind, to the left of the port boat davit. The box arrangement behind the cabin skylight may be a chicken coop. The caption ('Nothing off Boy, Luff') refers to the tendency of the vessel to fall away from the wind, requiring some exertion by the helmsman to luff-up in order to hold the required compass course. The binnacle is of the type holding two compasses with a lamp between them for night-time illumination, as shown by the small central heat-grill on top above the lamp. [PvdM 10/12]