To take a risky course of action with no margin for error, which could come close to breaking the law or leading to a calamity. In the Age of Sail, it meant to steer the vessel into the direction the wind was blowing from. Doing this would fill the sails and move the vessel along at a faster pace. However, any small error in adjustment would cause the ship change direction and promptly lose speed, it not being possible to sail directly into the wind. Also known as sailing close hauled. The expression was first recorded in A Sea Grammar, a training manual for sailors written by Captain John Smith in 1627, in which he explains the techniques of sailing close to the wind, describing it as sailing against the wind or maintaining one’s course without falling leeward or backward.
As all ships in the Age of Sail were made of wood a carpenter was essential, whether on a naval, merchant, or pirate ship. A ship’s carpenter was responsible for keeping the vessel afloat, making necessary repairs, and plugging holes. Carpentry was an extremely useful skill on board any ship and good carpenters were highly valued, especially on a pirate ship, which couldn’t just sail into a port for repairs. In the navy they were usually qualified shipwrights. They didn’t always have to be an able seaman, but were expected to pull and haul when required, although they probably spent most of the time carrying out repairs and generally maintaining the ship. On most vessels the carpenter usually answered directly to the boatswain.
