Sail fragment from the 1800s

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Text from a Facebook find about the photo:
"This is the corner of a hand sewn sail made in the 1800s. The craftsmanship and quality of the work is amazing. This is a lost art. The canvas sails were made of hemp along with clothing, ropes, and the caulking used to fill gaps between planks among other things. Hemp is 3 times stronger than jute and was preferred because it was unaffected by salt water. The work done by sail makers was demanding and left no room for error as their sails would be what brings fishermen home safely. "Sail Fragment from the 1800s.jpg
This shows a lot of timely hand sewing by very strong hands and fingers well under the scale of our models. Rich (PT-2)
 
Very Interesting

Take a look at this "Trafalgar sail" of the HMS Victory


Aside from HMS Victory herself, the fore topsail is recognised by experts and historians worldwide as the largest single original artefact from the Battle of Trafalgar.
Covering an area of 3,618 ft, it was the second largest sail on board HMS Victory and would have been one of the main targets for French and Spanish guns as HMS Victory approached the enemy line. It is battle-scarred and pock-marked by some 90 shot holes, although a few squares were cut out by 19th century souvenir hunters.
It also has huge historical importance as a hand-manufactured object from the time. Measuring 80ft at its base, 54ft at its head and 54ft deep and weighing an estimated 370kg, it would have taken around 1,200 man hours for experienced sailmakers to stitch.

Royal_Naval_Exhibition_1891_HMS_Victory_sail_1983_1238_25_7.jpg Victory_Sail_1977_0.jpg
 
When interested in the Victory fore topsail here is also a skecth of the sail

py0729.jpg
Sketch of the Victory's Fore Topsail as returned from that ship into H.M. Store at the Sail Loft in Chatham Dockyard after the Battle of Trafalgar (PAH0729)


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When interested in the Victory fore topsail here is also a skecth of the sail

View attachment 231210
Sketch of the Victory's Fore Topsail as returned from that ship into H.M. Store at the Sail Loft in Chatham Dockyard after the Battle of Trafalgar (PAH0729)


View attachment 231211


I was totally unaware of the size of the sails and presented with people it is amazing to think about bending or furling a wet sail given that condition. Thanks, Rich
 
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