Some general rules of docking sail ships. Unless there is a strong current approach a dock from the leeward side whenever possible so that your boat is heading into the wind. Basically you turn 180 degrees into the wind to make your sails flap to kill your boats speed. When you turn a boat into the wind in order to coast up to the dock, called shooting, if you turn slowly the boat will carry a lot of speed, called Way, and coast a long distance. But if you jam the helm hard over you will kill the boats way and she will coast a short distance. How much speed a given ship carries depends on her weight and size. A skipper must know his boat. In a strong current running against the wind the dock is approached on the run from the windward side with shortened sail , usually jib alone, to reduce speed, immediately prior to landing the sails are dropped to kill headway. Bow on approaches to docks are dangerous and require perfect timing, approach is made at moderate speed with sails slightly luffing so that the vessel ideally comes to complete stop at the dock. Other docking options are to come to a dead stop a distance from the dock drop anchor and let the wind slowly drift the ship towards the dock, by slowly letting out anchor line you have a controlled movement up to the dock. The anchor can also be used to assist in leaving the dockside by hauling her in, pulling the ship away from the dock. Option 2 complete stop a short distance from the dock and use of tow line to oxen or dock side capstans to reel the ship into berth. However with big cargo ships they usually dropped anchor in the harbor and used barges to ship cargo to and from shore, a lot easier to dock and much easier to get under way, also some ports did not have enough depth along side the quay to accommodate a fully laden big ships deep draft, so she had no option but to anchor in the harbour. Hope this helps, Ron