Some questions regarding shrouds

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shelk

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The shroud lines were tarred, what about the rat lines?

If the rat lines were not tarred, the nots on the shrouds were still tarred?

What material are the futtocks made? Wood or metal?

On the Santisima Trinidad 1/90 scale what spacing would you think is appropriate betewwen the rat lines?

Thanks in advance
 
shelk said:
The shroud lines were tarred, what about the rat lines?

If the rat lines were not tarred, the nots on the shrouds were still tarred?

What material are the futtocks made? Wood or metal?

On the Santisima Trinidad 1/90 scale what spacing would you think is appropriate betewwen the rat lines?

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
My two cents and opinion.
ratlines were not tarred, also not the knots
What do you mean with ".... futtocks made? Wood or metal?" Futtocks are parts of the wooden frame in the hull. Maybe you show in a sketch, which part you mean?
The futtock shrouds were also rope in the time of your Santisima.....
Maybe also this topic may help, also with the sketches you find there, because we discussed here the same area:

Ratlines HMS Victory

Hi guys I am currently building victory model by mamoli and need some advise on lower shroud ratlines. I have fixed the futtock stave and was wondering whether the top part of the shrouds beyond the staves should also have ratlines. Photo attached. Most photos of models show them without...
shipsofscale.com
The spacing between the steps of a ladder (it is nothing else like a ladder) is nowadays between 25 and 30cm - means in your scale appr. 3,5mm
The distance of ratlines were somehow bigger.
In several publications the distance is mentioned different or better not clearly defined
Brady says "15" in The Kedge-Anchor.

The Kedge Anchor; or, Young Sailors' Assistant (Dover Maritime): Brady, William: 9780486419923: Amazon.com: Books

The Kedge Anchor; or, Young Sailors' Assistant (Dover Maritime) [Brady, William] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. The Kedge Anchor; or, Young Sailors' Assistant (Dover Maritime)
www.amazon.com
Harold Underhill, in Masting and Rigging gives "About 15"

Amazon.com: Masting and Rigging: The Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier: 9780851741734: Harold A. Underhill: Books

Amazon.com: Masting and Rigging: The Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier: 9780851741734: Harold A. Underhill: Books
www.amazon.com

and Lees in The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War, 1625-1860
"were spaced 13" to 15"

Book review - The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War, 1625-1860" by James Lees

An other cornerstone in each private library describing the mast, spars and the complex rigging work should be The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War, 1625-1860 By James Lees Publisher: Naval Institute Press; 2nd Rev edition (October 1984) Pages: 212 ISBN-10: 0870219480...
shipsofscale.com

So I think 15" means 38 cm would be correct - in your scale 4,22 mm - so between 4 and 4,5 mm
 
G'day Uwe,
What do you mean with ".... futtocks made? Wood or metal?" Futtocks are parts of the wooden frame in the hull. Maybe you show in a sketch, which part you mean?

I think he is asking about the futtock staves that the futtock shrouds are lashed to, see pic below,

1434729702_4155_FT12055_futtock_shrouds_.png

I think for strength they were probably metal, but wood could have been used,
hope this helps,

best regards John,
 
Last edited:
Oh I understand.....
futtock stave.jpg

I think also mainly a metal rod - some modelers are using here often a wood - it had to be strong enough to take over and transfer the forces from the shrouds - important was the horizontal "shrouds" between the two futtock staves on both sides
 
What about catharpins? are they used in any specific situation? or all shrouds should have it?
 
shelk said:
What about catharpins? are they used in any specific situation? or all shrouds should have it?
Click to expand...
You need them, because they are taking over the forces from the futtock shrouds - otherwise the complete tension would go only on the shrouds, and they would make a curve

Not all shrouds have catharpins - often also they are not possible because of the mast

Theory:
81ea32c99e95c01c282acfbd95a79eb2.jpg 1388232684_1929_FT7649_pict_v_4904_.jpg

Here a Victory model, where the mast is limiting the number
1284322198_963_FT1655_16_06_dsc02396aaa.jpg
 
shelk said:
There are no ratlines above the stave right?
Click to expand...
We discussed this in this topic:
Depends......

Ratlines HMS Victory

Hi guys I am currently building victory model by mamoli and need some advise on lower shroud ratlines. I have fixed the futtock stave and was wondering whether the top part of the shrouds beyond the staves should also have ratlines. Photo attached. Most photos of models show them without...
shipsofscale.com
 
If ratlines were tarred it would be very messy climbing the rigging in hot weather - especially since sailors were, I believe,
often barefooted. Unless ships carried large quantities of turpentine for foot washing the tar would transfer to the decks!
Jolly Jack Tar might not have been quite so jolly.
Nevertheless, most of us seem to model the ratlines with black thread rather than natural hemp coloured.
 
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