64 NAVAL SCIENCES. • 



where they are joined to the top dead-eyes. These are not secured by 

 chain links, like the futtock dead-eyes {pi. II, fig. 7), but by short iron 

 ties, as in fig, 14 6. One end of these ties passes through the border of 

 the top and holds the dead-eyes for stretching the topmast rigging, and 

 at the other end is a hole for the futtock-shrouds-rope. The top-mast shrouds 

 also are furnished with ratlines and are used as ladders. The thickness is 

 one third less than that of the main rigging, and consequently is 7j inches. 



The main stay* is a strong rope, leading forward, used to support the 

 main-mast. Its length (147^ feet) is equal to twice the distance from the 

 stem to the mizen-mast, and its thickness (22 inches) is double that of the 

 shrouds. This rope passes from the foot of the fore-mast to the bottom of 

 the main-top. Small ropes in the shape of a fan, called crow' s feet, run from 

 the upper end of the main-stay to the top, preventing the foot of the topsail 

 from rubbing against the top. The main-stay is stretched by means of blocks. 



The main preventer stay* runs parallel with the main-stay, above it, and 

 serving as a support. It has the same length and thickness as the main 

 shrouds. 



The main jeers (fig. 1 ^0 ^-re two ropes, serving to raise the main-yard. 

 They are rove through the blocks which are fastened at the head of the 

 mast and at the centre of the top. The length of the smaller rope is three 

 times the ship's breadth (162|- feet), and its thickness is half an inch more 

 than that of the mizen shrouds. The other rope is as long as the length 

 and breadth of the ship taken together (259 feet 5 inches) and is thicker by 

 \\ inches than the main shrouds (12^). 



The main lifts {fig. 1 '*). The lifts are ropes attached to the yard arms, 

 to support and move the yard. The main-lifts (those belonging to the 

 main-yard) are as long as the length and breadth of the ship (259 feet 

 5 inches). Fig. 3 shows the main-yard with its jeers : aa, are the lift 

 blocks ; hh, the lifts ; cc, the straps of the jeers' blocks ; dd, the main-yard ; 

 d, d, the yard-arms : ee, the arm-pieces ; g, the rigging at the mast-head ; 

 ff the jeers' blocks ; hh, the futtock-shrouds ; ii, the jeers' runners ; kk, the 

 lift-blocks under the cap. The studding-sail-boom-rings are also fastened 

 on the yard-arms. PI. 10, fig. 4, shows the topsail-yard with its lifts and 

 the sail stretched. 



The main braces {pi. 11, fig. V^). Braces are ropes by which the yards 

 are turned. Each brace of the main-yard is one and a half times the 

 ship's length (307i feet). 



The main backstays.* The back-stays are intended to support the masts 

 from aft, which the shrouds are too far forward to effect. They must be 

 long and stout. The length of the main backstays is equal to the length and 

 twice the breadth of the ship (314 feet 10 inches long and 11 inches thick). 



The main-top-gallant backstays* belong to the main-top-gallant mast, and 

 are twice the length of the ship. 



The main-top-mast shrouds* support the top-mast on the right and left. 

 They consist of six ropes on a side, which are 2|- times the length of the 

 top-mast (173 feet 4 inches), and of about one third less thickness than the 

 main shrouds (7f inches). 

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