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One for the "Experten"- Chebeck rigging

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  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Netherlands
One for the "Experten"- Chebeck rigging
Posted by Grem56 on Thursday, April 17, 2008 11:45 AM

Would the standing rigging of the Chebeck have been tarred or not?

Hope someone can give a hint here, cheers,

JulianSmile [:)]

 

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  • Member since
    January 2006
  • From: istanbul/Turkey
Posted by kapudan_emir_effendi on Thursday, April 17, 2008 1:10 PM
Professor Idris Bostan, in his seminal work about the Ottoman wooden warships (Oared and Sailing Ottoman Ships, Istanbul 2003) cites halat (rope), katran (tar) and yelken bezi (sailcloth) as prime materials for the arma (masts and rigging) of a şebeka (xebec). So, most probably the standing rigging was tarred.
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  • Member since
    March 2007
  • From: Portsmouth, RI
Posted by searat12 on Friday, April 18, 2008 9:44 AM

Chebecs are peculiar vessels from a European rigging point of view!  The best place to look for rigging tips on these vessels is a monograph on the Chebec 'Requiem' done by Jean Boudriot.  There is also some excellent photos of this particular model in his other work, 'Modeles Historiques' of the Musee' de la Marine.  As the 'standing' rigging of these vessels was really quite flexible, using a large number of blocks and multiple purchases from the masthead right down to the deck attachment points/chainplates, it is apparent that these vessels were designed to be able to raise and lower their masts as well as the huge lateen yards, adjust the angle/rake of the masts while underway, and a wide variety of other tricks to vary performance for differing conditions.  As a result, it appears that there really IS no 'standing rigging' per se, so it might be best to NOT tar the 'standing rigging' on your model, with the exception of some the wrappings, frappings, in a few key areas.

The Chebec/Xebec is a direct structural descendant of the galleys, which ordinarily would lower their masts and sails when going into battle, thus relying solely on the oars for motive power and maneuvering.  While the Chebec relies much more more on sail power than the galley (think La Real, etc.), nonetheless the lateen rigging is virtually the same as the galley, and with the same capabilities for flexibility.  In fact, some of the last versions of the Chebec, and a couple other Mediterranean relatives as well, possessed the ability to switch from a square-rigged foremast to an all-lateen rig, depending on what point of sail would be expected, all while underway!  The term 'Xebec-Frigate' is usually applied to such vessels, but the Tartans and other could do the same trick, especially later in the 19th century.  Because of all the 'heaving and hoing' that is necessary to operate a big lateener like a Chebec, they required very large crews in comparison to more 'standard-rigged' fore and aft vessels.  While this would be a drawback for a merchantman, it is an absolute positive for a corsair, pirate, or naval vessel which depends largely on boarding operations to capture other vessels.  Hope this helps!

  • Member since
    June 2006
  • From: Netherlands
Posted by Grem56 on Friday, April 18, 2008 12:40 PM

Thank you both for two different views on this subject. I haven't reached the point that I have to decide what to do yet so you have given me a good starting point to do some further research on this subject. The remark by Searat 12 that the Chebeck didn't really have standing rigging does match the impression I got from the rigging diagram though. Once again thank you for the respected input.

Cheers, Julian

 

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