RUDDEBS

465

D is the upper part of the rudder stock E, a horizontal coupling
connecting the two parts of the stock together by means of six screw
bolts and nuts shown in plan, Fig. 54 (2). The purpose of the coupling
is to be able to disconnect the rudder when necessary. F^ to ^5 are
the pintles. Fz is the locking pintle to prevent the rudder jumping
out of the gudgeons when the vessel pitches. It has a head or collar
on the tinder side of the gudgeon to prevent it lifting.

Fig, 55.—The Bearing Pintle.
jP5 is the bearing pintle resting on the steel disc G (Kg. 55). There
is a small hole from the bottom of the socket to the heel of the post,
large enough to take a punch for knocking out the worn disc when
the rudder is jacked up in drydock. E is a hard wood bush of lignum
vitae; J the nut, and E a steel pin fitted to all nuts at the rudder to
keep them from working back.
The top end of the stock is steadied at a watertight flat by passing
through a stuffing box made watertight by packing screwed down hard
between glands.
Stop Cleats fitted on the rudder or on the rudder post in small vessels
prevent it from going beyond about 38° on either side of amidships, 35°
when hard over being the angle of maximum working efficiency. • In
larger vessels stop cleats or buffers are also fitted on the deck in the way
of the quadrant, but these should stop the rudder at a slightly smaller
angle of helm than the stops on the rudder.