towrope

While attempting to tow her off the next day, the towrope got foul of a rock and was cut.

But, when we agreed to their terms, they laid hold of the towrope and hauled us through in a moment.

When a rapid intervenes they strain like bondmen at the towrope; the line creaks under the enormous tension but holds fast.

The difficulty was to secure the towrope, while there was no time to be lost if the brig was to be saved.