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Rigging Question Lower Mizzenmast Yard on USS Constitution

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  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Lacombe, LA.
Posted by Big Jake on Sunday, May 13, 2012 9:44 PM

According to the sail plan it was called a mizzen top sail. I can't remember what the proper name of the lowest yard, I was wondering if a yar that big and heavy would not have had some additional halyards/lifts, etc. The rigging plan does not show anything.

 

 

  • Member since
    November 2005
  • From: Formerly Bryan, now Arlington, Texas
Posted by CapnMac82 on Sunday, May 13, 2012 6:55 PM

Uhm, I'm confused.  "Lower Mizzenmast yard" to me is the "cro'jack" or "cross jack" yard, whose function is the spread the foot of the mizzen topsail.  And to occasionally  carry a mizzen course sail set flying, for those times when the spanker would be hemmed in by the rigging of the shrouds.

Royal sails were often set "flying"--to mean without permanent affixing to the mast.  So, they'd have a rope parrel, and a halyard block set to a shoulder, rather than a sheave set through the mast.   A flaying royal would have no lifts, and would come to the deck entire when unshipped.  The royal was spread by the topgallant, which was generally a fixed yard hoisted into lifts with a batten and roller parrel.

The Skysail would be set flying above that.  Contemporary accounts suggest that best practice was to set up the halyard to the opposite hand of the royal, to keep things ship-shape at the top.

  • Member since
    February 2003
  • From: Lacombe, LA.
Rigging Question Lower Mizzenmast Yard on USS Constitution
Posted by Big Jake on Sunday, May 13, 2012 11:57 AM

I’m getting ready to start rigging the running lines for the USS Const. in 1/96th. But according to the inst. They DO NOT show how the halyard for the mizzenmast lower yard was rigged.  Was this an omission or was this the acual rigging plan. 

According to her sail plan found here, it does not show much.

http://www.navsource.org/archives/09/46/0946021113.jpg

The yard was used as the anchor point for the mizzen royal sail. I was wondering the yard was still to heavy just to “hang” there?  You would think that the yard being as heavy as it must have been, some manner of weight distribution or extra support should have been included - but what do I know?

What are your thoughts?

You can pictures of my build here.

http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/579191039SNookZ

Jake Groby

 

 

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