belay pins

[shipahoy]

currently working on a scratch build of the Berlin 1674 with plans from Corel and they show rows of belay pins along the gunwales and railings. It is my understanding that belay pins did not come into wide spread use until the mid 1700's at least with the British. Being this ship is of German origin is it possible they were ahead of the game or did they tie rigging lines off to kevels, cleats, and railing like most ships of the time?

 

[AllanKP69]

She may have been ahead of the British. Wasa had pins and was over 100 ears before the British used pins. Have you contacted the German Maritime Museum in Bremerhaven? info@dsm.museum In general, if this kind of thing is important to you it may not be a good idea to trust some kits without doing your own research.
Allan

 

[Roger Pellett]

Anyone who has ever tried to untie a knot in a piece of wet rope under tension will understand the genius of the belaying pin. It allows a line to be unhitched while still maintaining tension.

So, I’m curious. How were lines belayed prior to use of belaying pins? While I realize that bits were used there were way too many lines for the few of them available.

Roger

 

[AllanKP69]

Won't be near my books for another day or so but many/most lines were tied to the rails and timberheads. This can be clearly seen on many contemporary models. The below are models at Preble Hall. I realize most of these models have been re-rigged in the past two or three hundred years but hope they were faithfully replicated.

Allan

 

[AllanKP69]

So, I’m curious. How were lines belayed prior to use of belaying pins? While I realize that bits were used there were way too many lines for the few of them available.

The below is one of the various belaying description in James Lees' The Masting and Rigging English Ships of War.
Allan

 

[shipahoy]

Thanks for the input on the belay pins. I don't know if any of you are familiar with the Berlin model by Corel but the mid and aft rows of belay pins are mounted through the capping rail and not on racks mounted to the gunwales. I don't know if any of you are familiar with this model but that would put the height of the pins at approx. 8 - 9 feet above the deck. I am starting to doubt the authenticity of these plans. Any thoughts would be welcome. Not sure what to do at this point.

 

[AllanKP69]

I am starting to doubt the authenticity of these plans.

Good for you. The Berlin is so old no one knows the details, so common sense is a good thing to consider. It is always a good idea to check information based on contemporary sources with kit designs. There are no contemporary drawings to confirm, but you may find the following discussion interesting, especially the comments by Abe.
Allan

Something reasonable out of Hoeckel's "FREGATTE BERLIN 1674" possible?

Dear Friends, due to a ruptur in my retina I will be unable to build models for a longer time. As I am allowed to ready again I do have a plenty of time to deal with my "mind-games" untill 3D-view abilitys will come back fully. Ab Hoving wrote in "Das Logbuch" His famouse article that this...

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