CHAPTER IV.
THE RIGGING OF A STEAMSHIP.
THE figure shows the rigging of a steamship's mast. There are three
shrouds on each side of the lower mast fitted with ratlines, and a
backstay on each side of the topmast, a topmast stay leading down
forward to nearly the stemhead and a forestay, with a staysail on it,
sei up by means of a bottle screw to a ringbolt on the forecastle deck.
This ship has an additional stay from the lowermast-head to the after
end of the forecastle to be used as a preventer stay to stiffen the mast
when heavy weights are being lifted at No. 2 hatch with the big derrick,
which is seen up-ended abaft the mast. This stay is disconnected
•when cargo is being worked at No 1 hatch.
When only three shrouds are fitted on each side they consist of a
single one and a pair. The single one is generally called a *'swifter."
They go over the masthead in the following order:—Starboard swifter,
port swifter, starboard pair of shrouds, port pair of shrouds, stay.
When four shrouds are fitted on each side they consist of two pairs.
The starboard forward pair goes on first and then a pair on each side
alternately. Stay last. All shrouds and the stay are single pieces of
wire and are generally shackled on at the masthead. This being the
case, it does not matter which is shackled on first. The average size
of wire is about 4 inch for the shrouds and a little heavier for the stay.
Shrouds are parcelled and served. See page 543,
The Parcelling and Service are always started at the bottom and
worked upwards. The parcelling is put on with the lay of the rope,
the serving is done against the lay. See page 612.
A Hounds Band is generally riveted round the masthead. This
has the proper number of eyes welded on to it to which are shackled
the shrouds and stay. Another arrangement for securing the rigging
at the lowermast-head is by means of two pieces of angle bar, bent
and riveted round the mast a few inches apart. One flange of each
is bent to a suitable angle to form two lugs, holes being drilled in these
to a proper alignment. The eyes of the shrouds and stay are placed
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