RIGGING, (fee. 49 



Fig. 15 shows the arrangement of the bolts lengthwise. Fig. 16 exhibits 

 the mast, and^^. 17 is a screw-ring, for binding the different parts together. 

 To secure an equality of force on both ends of the halves composing 

 this ring when screwed together, little pieces of soft wood are placed 

 between the lips. 



When the mast is put together, the faces of the different parts are joined 

 by pins of three inches in diameter and six inches long {jig. 11), and the 

 four centre-pieces which form the spindle of the mast are fastened together 

 diagonally by wooden bolts, ed {figs. 13, 15), an inch and a half thick, and 

 at two feet distance from each other. Every couple of the outside pieces 

 is fastened at ih at distances of two feet {fig. 13) with bolts, one and 

 three-quarter inches thick. The whole mast is then nailed at a, h, and c 

 (figs. 13, 15), with spikes, one and five-eighth inches thick, and at least 

 one foot apart. At the ends of the masts {fig. 14) iron bolts, seven eighths 

 of an inch thick, are used instead of the tree-nails, ih (fig. 13). The main- 

 yards, as well as the masts, are composed of separate pieces ; this does not 

 diminish their firmness ; on the contrary, their elasticity is thus increased. 

 In order to put a mast into its place a scaffold is built on the upper deck, 

 usually composed of two strong beams erected opposite each other, and their 

 ends meeting at the top ; these are supported by stout ropes on all sides. 

 The mast is drawn up by a powerful tackle, and passed through the deck to 

 its step on the kelson. One mast being raised, there is less difficulty with 

 the rest. In many ship-yards there are permanent machines for raising 

 by means of which the operation is performed with great ease (pi. 31, 



The different spars are the following : 



The main-mast (pi. 9, fig. 27 H), standing not in the centre of the ship, but 

 towards the stern, at the distance from amidships of 7^ or 8 lines to each 

 foot of length ; in the present case, therefore, about 10 feet 8 inches. It does 

 not stand perpendicularly, but inclining backwards, in order to give more 

 room forward to the sails, and to diminish their pressure on the bow. Its 

 length is twice the breadth added to the depth of the ship (132 feet), and in 

 frigates rather more. The greatest diameter is three inches for every ten 

 feet in length (3^ feet). Everything pertaining to this mast receives the 

 epithet main. The pieces around the spindle {pi. II, fig. 4a, and fig. 5 c) 

 constitute the mast-casing. 



The main-top {fig. 1 N). Although the tops are not spars, yet, as they 

 are so closely connected w^ith them, they must be described in this place. 

 These are scaffolds around the upper part of the masts, O, consisting of four 

 beams, called trestle-trees, covered with boards. Two of these timbers, cc 

 (fig. 6), are placed lengthwise on each side of the mast, supported by 

 cheeks, b (figs. 4, 6) ; the two others, dd, pass over these, crossing them fore 

 and aft of the mast. On the trestle-trees a platform is erected, with holes 

 for the rigging, the forward edge being curved and the after edge straight. 

 It is surrounded by a railing with a covering of tarpaulin or network. 

 The tops serve to support the top-mast rigging, and to hold the men who 

 keep wa'ch in them, or who have work to do there (pi. 25, fig. 6). They 



701 



