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Oh hell, thats awful.
And to think in the 1630's there were no man ropes, much less fall harnesses. A topman REALLY had to be careful!
Kurt Konrath
Kurt Konrath
Sad to hear, but hope they had hold harmless agreement signed.
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I never liked working aloft even in these modern times. I spent 3 days at the top of the forward mast on USS Dewey DLG 14 off the VA capes in October of 1973 changing a radar antennae motor. It is no fun.
Sad story, espescially for her friends, relatives and shipmates, but I suppose accidents happen. I'd hate to have had the helm when it happened. I couldn't stop wondering if I'd made a sudden movement on the rudder when she was aloft, even if I hadn't.
That is very sad. Tragedy. I hate to hear this. I could not imagine being on board seeing this take place in real time.
Safety harness or not, it is, and always will be, one hand for yourself and one for the ship. Safety harnesses usually work, but nor always. But, what they almost always do is give you a false sense of security. I have rock climbed in Yosemite, done roofing on multi-story dwelling units and trimmed very tall tees. I also always made my own harnesses if possible. You NEVER put your life in the hands of others if you can avoid it.
A very sad reality check when we are modelling in scale and our main mast might be, say 3 ft high. Tall ships were/are a dangerous workplace.
A Captain sailing to China remarked:
"John Harris (Seaman) fell overboard out of the Main Top Mast shrouds, and was drowned - he was a very active well disposed young man, and lost his Life in trusting too much to his Ability".
A Captain sailing to China remarked:
"John Harris (Seaman) fell overboard out of the Main Top Mast shrouds, and was drowned - he was a very active well disposed young man, and lost his Life in trusting too much to his Ability".