Francis Liardet: Professional Recollections on Points of Seamanship, Discipline, &c., 1849.

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Parrel, or parrel-lashing, of top-gallant yard carried away.

When the parrel or parrel-lashing of a top-gallant yard is carried away, much of the whole force and weight of the yard and sail are then thrown at the mast-head, and the top-gallant mast endangered by it. If the ship is by the wind, the top-gallant sail had better be braced aback immediately, and lowered at the same time; but if the wind, the top-gallant yard should be braced by, and lowered immediately. Great care should be taken that the top-gallant sheets are not started, as that would much endanger the mast by the sail forcing itself against, and perhaps entangling itself round the top-gallant stay. A topsail-yard may have its parrel repaired in the same manner, if carried away in moderate weather; but if blowing hard, with double or triple-reefed topsails, the returning weight of the topsail-yard, and force of the sail when thrown aback, might endanger the mast, yard, or lee-topmast rigging; as however taut the weather topsail-brace may be when the parrel is carried away, and the ship by the wind, the yard will surge over to leeward, and thereby allow the yard to swing far from the mast. We think, in such a case, if the down-haul tackle, and weather clewline were instantly manned, and the yard walked down until the lifts were taut, that the yard might then be squared, and the parrel repaired; but if the weather-brace should be carried away when the parrel goes, and the weather yard-arm flies far forward, it will then be advisable to put the helm up, and bring the wind on the opposite quarter, keeping the yards braced up as before on the mast to which the accident has happened, and steer the ship so as to let the wind blow along the sail of the disabled yard until it gently returns to the mast. When done, lash the yard on each quarter to the topmast rigging, and the topsail tye-blocks well round the mast, then fit the weather-brace and parrel. Too much care cannot be taken in keeping fast the topsail sheets, as upon that will depend much of the safety of the mast, yard, and rigging, as the heavy flapping of a topsail will be likely to shake everything to pieces. A spare parrel should invariably be kept in each top. But I am inclined to think a very good method is one adopted by an excellent officer, viz. -- In either case just spill the sail, without its flapping, unbend the clewlines from the clews; if top-gallant sail, make the ends fast on the after trestle-trees; if a topsail, lash the clewline-blocks on to the after-part of the topmast-cap crossed, clew down the yard (with help of braces) secure the yard, and parrel afresh.

Francis Liardet: Professional Recollections on Points of Seamanship, Discipline, &c.
William Woodward, Portsea, 1849. 8vo, frontisp., (6), x, 319 pp, 1 col. plate of signals.

Transcribed by Lars Bruzelius

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