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

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Futtock-shrouds.

Since the futtock-shrouds have been secured to the lower masts, instead of to the lower shrouds, it has much simplified and quickened the setting up of both lower and topmast rigging, as the topmast and lower shrouds can now be set up on the same masts, independent of each other, whereas, when the futtock-shrouds are secured to the lower shrouds, it is always considered desireable to slack the topmast rigging previous to setting to the lower rigging. The futtock-shrouds being secured to the lower masts, make the topmasts and lower masts work more in unison with each other, than when they are secured to the lower rigging; the rigging being so much more pliable when the futtock-shrouds are secured to the shrouds; every change in the lower rigging, from very taut to very slack, must affect the topmast rigging, therefore occasions the unncessary working of the topmasts. I ahve frequently observed in carrying a press of sail by the wind, that the topmasts have not been supported by the strain being carried by the futtock-shrouds and cat-harpings to the lee lower rigging, but the weather lower rigging has been shouldered up to such a degree, that I have been able to move by hand, each shroud between the futtock-staff and the mast-head, while teh lower part has been as taut as a bar. We have every reason to believe, that securing the futtock-shrouds to the lower masts has saved many topmasts, and that the lower masts are not in the slightest degree injured by it (but on the contrary benefited), if the masts are properly prepared for the purpose. If chain or iron should be used instead of rope, for futtock-shrouds, great care should be taken that iron scotch-men are put on the lower rigging, in the way of the chafe of the iron futtock-shrouds. We mention this, because we have known rigging much chafed from neglecting to attend to this.

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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