It can also depend on how you are moving the yard around the mast. It doesn't stay at the center of the front of the mast and pivot, but rather rotates around the circumference of the mast. That can make a great difference.
-
Win a Free Custom Engraved Brass Coin!!!
As a way to introduce our brass coins to the community, we will raffle off a free coin during the month of August. Follow link ABOVE for instructions for entering.
question about interaction of yards and shrouds
- Thread starter icecreamviking
- Start date
- Watchers 15
1. THESE PICTURES ARE FANTASTIC!
2. What book, publication, etc did they come from?
3. I want a copy ASAP. I am just starting to rig my L'H.
4. No matter how much reference material you collect, there always seems to be more and better.
5. Thanx for the update.
1. YES. And to make that slackening easier, the foremost shroud probably did not have deadeyes at the bottom for adjusting, but was instead attached to a very large (oversized) conventional block and tackle (maybe a double or more likely a triple). Adjustments to this foremost shroud had to be made quickly, frequently and securely.
2. The foremost shroud was also more than likely served (probably with 1/2' line) from top to bottom to reduce wear. All-in-all, a very hefty/durable piece of rigging.
- Joined
- Feb 11, 2019
- Messages
- 123
- Points
- 113
A major part of the fascination of O'Brian's books was the nautical details- beyond any other I think. They kept me going to the nautical lexicon to decipher and made me understand the complexity of the sailorman's acquired knowledge.
I understood that we are talking about a replica of Hermione (L'Hermione). The construction of the rigging and spars of this replica was carried out with the consultation of Jean Boudriot, a well-known specialist in French shipbuilding of the sailing era. Budriot is known as the author of many books published by the A.N.C.R.E. publishing house. I recommend finding books like these that show French spars and rigging very well:
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2023
- Messages
- 29
- Points
- 48
That was a central problem with my digital format, since I hadn't set up the truss yet I was simply rotating the yard on it's own pivot to test it's freedom to move. That's one of the shortcoming of digital work, it tempts one to put the cart before the horse at every turn
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2023
- Messages
- 29
- Points
- 48
These are excellent drawings, I will absolutely make getting a copy of this book a priority
The pivot point for the yard would be at the center point of the mast cross-section.
That has been a fascinating and educational discussion. I've absorbed a lot from it.
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2024
- Messages
- 9
- Points
- 3
I believe an earlier commenter had it correct in saying that the truss, parral or whatever device was restraining the yard had to have enough slack to allow the yard to swing forward when the sails filled. I don't believe the forward shroud was slacked when the yards were braced up hard. I've never seen a drawing or model depicting a shroud connected to a block and tackle and easing and retightening deadeyes would be too laborious. I believe this limitation on bracing is why in later years the yard was connected to the mast with a gooseneck fitting which extended the pivot point well forward of the mast.
The French sometimes tightened the front shrouds not with deadeyes, but with blocks. But this is not always the case. Most often, the French used deadeyes to tighten the front shrouds.
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2024
- Messages
- 9
- Points
- 3
Good point. I should have mentioned in my comment that there didn't seem be any evidence that the British used blocks on shrouds. But having said that, one thing I've learned in researching maritime history is that there was never just one way of doing things.
I totally agree, the English never used blocks on the first shrouds. And the truss pendants were very different from the French ones.
But that's not all.
There was another way to make the first shrouds more flexible - not to tie the steps to them:
