Monday, December 11, 2006

A TREATISE ON RIGGING

c. 1625

Intro

This manuscript, known as the Petworth MS, was printed in 1921 by the Society For Nautical Research (& reprinted by them in 1958, and is quoted at varying length in a number of modern books on 17th Century ships).

According to the introduction written for the SNR by R. C. Anderson (to both of whom I'm indebted for the introduction, much of which is summarized below), there are no clues as to who wrote it, and it has been annotated later by a different hand. It has no date, and does not refer to any persons or ships.

As Anderson points out, though, it can be dated fairly accurately just on what is mentioned within the MS. Mention is made right at the beginning of some ships having 2 mizens; when the Royal Sovereign was built around 1637, she was by far the biggest ship of her age, and she had just 3 masts (which remained standard for big ships until 200 years later). So its probably earlier than 1637 (unless written by an anti-Pett shipwright of the Old School).

But the spritsail-topsail was not in use until around 1618, and that is mentioned in the MS as normal practice, so it is probably after that.

Anderson says about 1625, although it could be 10 years either way. As such, it would have followed pretty closely the practices of shipbuilders and sailors of Drake’s time; we're only talking of 30 years after the Spanish Armada, after all.

A word or three about spelling & grammar. This was the golden age of individualistic spelling, nothing was standardized (even Shakespeare spelled his name in different ways at different times) and this is no exception. Look under ‘Sailes belonginge to a ship’ and you will see ‘spritsail’ spelt 4 different ways, on one line!

So, I’ve taken a few liberties with the text to make it easier to read. I don’t think many people would have problems with spellings like ‘yearde’ for ‘yard’, or ‘bovespright’ for ‘bowsprit’, so I’ve left words like that as they are.

But when you read, ‘on on the on side’ it takes a moment to realise he’s saying, ‘one on the one side’, so those are the words I’ve ‘corrected’, the little words - so ‘to’ now reads ‘too’, and ‘of’ becomes ‘off’.

Numbered items have been altered so the number precedes the noun, in line with modern practice. So ‘takles 2’ now reads ‘2 takles’

I’ve also broken a few of the longer sentences down into shorter ones, and sprinkled a few commas & full-stops around to make the meaning clearer.

Any of Anderson’s (or my) suggestions or definitions are shown in square brackets [thus].

Fadom is a fathom, or 6 feet - but don’t ask me what that is in metres, its the distance between fingertips of a man's outstretched arms (how they measured depth, or speed in knots, & origin of 'fathom' as a verb meaning to get to the bottom of). Others are: ‘hie’ = high; ‘ey’ = eye; ‘fale’ = fall; ‘pt’ = part; ‘shiver’ = sheave; ‘toptopgallant’ = royal; ‘overlop’ = orlop (but not with the later meaning; at that time it meant the lowest full, or structural, deck).


Note that the 'Traineborde' mentioned in the last para refers, presumably, to a 'traverse board'. This was a small circular wooden board with a series small holes in the shape of concentric rings; at each bell the course and distance sailed was marked on the board using pegs, attached by strings to the board. In this way it served as a primitive 'log' which could be used by even illiterate helmsmen.


EVERY SHIP HATH THESE GREATER MASTS

Mayne mast. ffore mast. Misson mast and Bovespright.

Somme ships have 2 missons, ether in regard of ther length, or qualeties. When in regard of length, it is for handsomnes, because too much distance betewene masts is unseemly. In regard of ther qualety is when a ship will not keepe the winde, and that her head falles off, which is incident to all ships hie built or which have those sails which flatts off the head of the ship (which ar those of her ffore masts and spritsayles), stronger then those of her Mayne mast and Misson, which ar the sayles which keepes the heade of a ship to the winde. Sometymes we geve a ship 2 Missons to keepe her head to the winde when she hulles, to the ende that she may ride easely on the waves, and not lie tumbling in the trough of the sea betweene 2 billowes.

When a ship hath 2 missons the former is called the Mayne, the other the Bonaventure Misson.

EVERY SHIP HATH COMONLY THESE LESSER MASTS

Mayne topmast. Mayne Topgallant mast. ffore Topmast. ffore top­gallant mast. Misson Topmast. sprightsayle topmast. Fflagstaves, whose number is uncertayne, som ships have them upon every Topgallant mast, and they serve also for Toptopgallant sayles, which ar of good use in a loune gale of winde.

Every mast hath his yearde fastened to it by the Parrell, and the sayles ar fastened to the yeardes by the Robins, every yeard hath his name from the mast they ar fastened unto.

Every mast hath his Cordes fixed which ar called standing ropes. They serve only to keepe the mast steady and upright.

The other ropes which serve for hoisinge and striking of sayles, or to place them fitly for every wind, ar called running ropes, and belong to the rigginge of the yeardes.

OF THE MAYNE MAST AND THE STANDING ROPES BELONGING TO IT

The mayne mast is fastened to the ship, at the ffoote, in a step which is fastened to the keelson, and at the overlop with parteners, which ar of 2 partes with a hoole, of the bignes of the mast, for the mast to passe through in the middle of them, they ar fastened to the beames of the ship with boults. Besides the mayne mast hath these standinge ropes to kepe it steddy and upright: .

The mayne stay

2 Backstayes

Shrowdes

2 or 4 Takles

Swifters

Garnet

HOW ALL THE STANDING ROPES AR FASTENED TO THE SHIP AND MAYNE MAST

  1. The Mayne stay is fastened with a Coller, about the Head of the ship, at the lower end of it, and at the mast head at the upper part of the Crosse trees at the other end.
  2. The backe stayes ar commonly of the bignes of the shroudes, and ar fastened to the heade of the mast by the tresle trees above the shroudes, at the lower ende of them they have every one a dead mans ey, by which they ar fastened with Laniers to the Chain Wales by an other dead mans ey fastened in a chaine to the chaine wale, which is set there of pourpose; ther ar 2 backstayes, that is, one in every side.
  3. Shrowdes. They ar more or lesse in every ship accordinge to her burthen, Somme have 4, Somme 5, somme six and somme 8. They ar fastened to the head of the mast by the Tresle trees at the upper ende, at the lower, to the Chayne wales, by deadmans eyes as the backe stayes.
  4. Tackles. They ar 2 or 4 accordinge to the ships burthen, and ar framed of 3 ropes and 3 blockes whereof 2 ar single blockes, the other double. The upper rope is called a pendant, and is never above 2 or 3 fadom longe, at the lower end of it is rived a single blocke into which is rived an other rope which is called the runner, this is somewhat bigger then the shrowdes. In great ships lesse, in smale ships bigger; for we have respect in the choice of them, to the wayght they ar to lift. The one ende thereof is fastened to the chainewale, as the shroudes, at the other is a double blocke, through which is rived another rope called the falle, which is somewhat lesse then the runner, at one ende thereof is a single blocke with a hooke fastened to it, the which fastens it to the chaine­wales by a ringe set there of pourpose; the falle goes in 4 partes. The Takles beares with the shroudes, serves to steddy the mast and to hoise in the bote or any great wayght.
  5. Swifters: thei ar as big as the shrowdes, and fastened to the head of the mast and chainewales as the shrowdes. Ther ar 2 on each side. They serve only to stay the mast and beare with the shrowdes.
  6. Garnet. It hath 3 ropes and 3 blockes of the same name the Takles ar. The Pendant is fastened to the heade of the mast by the tresle trees, and from thence goeth to the mayne stay, and is fastened unto it with a block; throw that blocke is rived the runner, to which is fastened at one ende a double blocke throw which comes the falls, which goeth in 4 partes and hath a blocke fastened to it as the takle:

This serves to hoise in goods of ordinary waight.

The mayne yeard is fastened to the mayne mast by the Parrell, and hath thes runing ropes belonging to his Riggings:

The Parrell Shetes

Ties Tackes

Gere Bowlings

Lifts Clewgarnets

Martlets Buntline

Robins

[in margin] doubt whether the Halliers, Braces, The Trusse, Catharpings is not of this company.

THE ROPES BELONGING TO THE RIGGING

OF THE MAYNE YEARD AND MAYNE SAYLE

  1. The Parrell is framed of a Rope, Truckes and Ribs or sisters; the rope goeth 3 tymes losely about the mast, and hath the Trucks and ribbs laced on the Truckes through one hole, the Ribbs through 3 holes, the Parrell rope is fastened to the yeard in ether side the mast in 3 partes or boules at ether fasteninge which make, in both fastenings, 6 partes, and from thence is fastened on the Ribbes of the parrell in 2 notches called brookes in 6 parts more.
  2. Robins ar certayne smale ropes fastened to Iletholes under the headrope, halfe a foote asunder, and ar tied about the yeard to fasten the sayle to it.
  3. Ties: they ar rived in 2 partes into the ramhead, from thence they ar carried through the Hondes, which ar holes in ether side of the head of the mast close under the Tresle-Trees, from thence thei goe to the middle of the yeard and ar fastened to it betweene the parrell ropes.
  4. Halliers is fastened to the knight by a Pennant, and from thence ar rived through the Ramhead and Knight in 6 partes, and ar belayed to the knight:
  5. Gere: the gere is fastened with a clinch to the head of the mast above the shroudes, and from hence goeth through a blocke set on the yeard betweene the 2 fastenings of the Ties, and from thence is carried to an other blocke fastened with a strap to the head of the mast, and which commes downe close under the Tressel trees, from thence it goes close by the mast to the decke, and is belayed to the Gunwale under the shrowodes.
  6. Lifts: they ar fastened at the standing endes to the coller of the mayne stay, thence they goe through 2 blocks fastened to the yeard armes at the inside of the Topsayle sheete blocke, and from thence goe through 2 blocks which ar fastened with a strap to the head of the mast, which commes downe below the Tresseltrees, and so goes downe to the deck by the fforemost shroude, and is belayed ther to the Gunwale. Ther ar 2 lifts on for ether side.
  7. Braces: they ar 2 and ar fastened by eyes to ether yeard arme, the earerings of the sayle keeps them fast, they ar ether of them of 2 ropes. That fastened to the yeard arme is called the Pennant, and is not of more then 2 or 3 fadom longe to the lower end, wherof is rived the braces, whose standinge part is fastened to the aftermost tymber, the other is belayed to the next tymber before it.
  8. Sheetes: the standinge part of ether of them is fastened to rings set on ether side of the outside of the quarter of the ship, from thence their pas through blockes fastened to ether side of the clewes of the saile, and thence goe through pullies placed on the outside of the quarter of the ship before the rings, to which the standinge part is fastened, from thence thei goe into the ship and ar belayed to the gunwale under the shroudes.
  9. Tackes. Ther standinge parts ar fastened to the clew of the sayles with a wale knot, and the strap of the mayne sheete keepes it fast, thence they passe throw the Chestrees, which ar boulted to the outside of the loffe of the ship, and ar belayed to bitpins on the fforecastell.
  10. Bowlings, they ar fastened by bridles and cringles to the litch of the saile, the bridles goe in 3 partes, from the litche of the sayle thei passe ether of them through a blocke fastened to the Bove spright, hard by the stemme, from thence they com into the ship, and ar belayed to bit-pins on the fore castell.
  11. Martnets ar framed of 2 pennants, a ffale and the martlets. The first pennant is fastened to the Topmast head over the tresletrees above the shrowdes, and is 2 fadom long, at the lower ende of it is fastened to a blocke to which the fall is fastened, and from thence goeth through an other blocke fastened to the lower pennant blocke, and from thence goeth through the blocke of the upper pennant, and so to the decke. Through the lower pennant blocke goeth the other pennant, in 2 partes, to the lower ends of ether of which partes is fastened a dedmans eye with three holes in them, through which the martlets passe in 6 partes, at every deadmans eye, and ar fastened at every end to a smale lope called legs, which ar fast to the boult rope at the Litch of the sayle; they goe downe within a yeard of the clew of the mayne cours.
  12. Clewgarnets: they ar fastened to the middle of the yeard on ether side of the yeard arme, betweene the parrell and yeard arme, from thence thei goe to the clewes of the sayles, and ar ther rived through 2 blockes, and from thence pas through 2 other blocks fastened on ether yeard arme, within the first fastenings, and so to the decke, and ar be­layed to the Gun Wales by the foremost shrowds.
  13. Buntlines: they ar 3, one in the middle and one on ether side of the Bunt of the sayle; they are fastened to the skertes of the sailes, and from thence they goe through a blocke fastened to the collar of the mayne stay, and so to the decke, and ar belayed to 2 cleates set to ether side of the mayne mast.
  14. The Truss is fastened to the middle of the mayne yearde, betwene the Parell, with a tymber hitch, and from thence goes through a blocke fastened to the mayne mast close to the middle decke, and so to the Capstone when you will use him.
  15. Cattharpings: they ar 6 of every side and every one fastened to a shroud, they passe through a deadmans eye with 3 holes in it on every side, and so going, in 2 pts make six, to the ende of every deadmans eye is fastened a blocke, to the one of which the standinge part of the ffalle is made fast, the other ende of it passeth through the other blocke and thence goeth through the blocke it is fastened unto, and so is belayed to the necke of the blocke.

[Note added] Doubt: whether the maynstay is not a standing rope as well as the shroudes rattlins, and whether there be any more [that] may be cauled standing ropes, or not running ropes, or ropes of any other nature, as ropes of use.

THE RUNNINGE ROPES BELONGING TO THE MAYNE

YEARD AND THER USES

  1. The Parrell fastens the yeard to the mast.
  2. The Robins fasten the saile to the yeard.
  3. The Tyes carry the yeard.
  4. The Halliers hoyse the yeard.
  5. The Gere serves to ease the Tyes and slinge the yeard.
  6. The Liftes serve to top the yeard - 2.
  7. The Trusse serves to heave downe the yeard.
  8. The Braces serve to steddy the yeard and set the mayne Topsaile fitly - 2.
  9. The Shetes serve to round aft the saile and fitt it to every winde – 2.
  10. The Tackes hale forward the saile and steddyes it downe by a winde – 2.
  11. The Bowlings serve to keepe the sayle from shaking in the winde.
  12. The Martnets hale the outer Litch of the sayle with the shetes and Tackes close up to the yeard.
  13. The Clewgarnets hale up the Clew of the sayle close to the yeard.
  14. The Buntlines hale up the Bunt of the sayle close to the yeard.

The Catharpings serve to set the shroudes stiffe, thei belong properly to the rigging of the mast.

THE TOPMAST

The Topmast is fastened to the head of the mayne mast, by the crosse trees and the cap of the mayne mast, and hath these standing ropes to steddy it:

  1. The fore stay, fastened with a coller to the head of the Topmast at the upper ende. At the lower ende it hath a Deadmans ey fastened to it, which is with a Lanyer made fast to an other Deadmans ey in the fore­top, which is fastened to the foremast with a strap.
  2. Shroudes; thei ar fastened to the Topmast heade, at the upper ende uppon the cross trees, at the lower ende they ar fastened to the Pouttockes of the mayne mast with deadmans eyes and Laniers, as other shroudes ar fastened in ther places.
  3. Backstayes, framed of penants and fales, the pennants ar fastened to the head of the Topmast and com downe to the mayne top at the lower ende; they have, ether of them, a blocke spliced through which the ffalle is rived, whose standinge part is fastened to the rayles abaft the mayne shroudes, the other belayed to the rayles ther 2.
  4. Tackles, 2, they ar called Burton Takles, and ar framed of pennants and falles. The pennants ar fastened to the Topmast heade, at ther lower endes ether of them hath a block spliced, through which the ffalles are rived, ther standing partes are fastened to the Puttockes on ether side of the mayne mast the other ends ar belayed to the said Puttockes.

THE RUNNING ROPES BELONGINGE TO THE RIGGINGE

OF THE MAYNTOPMAST YEARD

  1. Parrell is framed of Truckes and ribbes, as other Parrells ar, but the ribbes have but 2 holes in ether of them, because the Parrell rope goeth but in 2 partes about the Topmast.
  2. Robins are fastened to the sayle and yeard, as those of the mayne sayle.
  3. Tyes, is a single rope fastened to the middle of the yeard, from thence it passeth through the Hounde of the Topmast and cometh, when the yeard is aloft as lowe, as the lower part of the mayne Top: at that ende thereof it hath a blocke spliced through which the runner is rived, his standing parte is made fast to a Timber nere the decke, close to the quarter decke, at the other ende of the runner is spliced a blocke which serves for the Halliers.
  4. The Halliers ar rived through the blocke of the Runer, ther standing pt is fastened to a ring with a hoke close by the quarter decke, the other ende is belayed ther, the runner is fastened to one side, the Hallier to the other side of the ship.
  5. Lifts: there standing part ar fastened to the Topmast heade with a hitch, thence they go to 2 blocks fastened to the yeard arme, and thence throwgh 2 other blockes fastened to the Topmast heade, and so to the mayne Top, wher thei ar belayed.
  6. Braces: 2, framed of 2 Pennants and 2 falles, ether of the Pennants ar neere 3 fadom long, the Pennants ar fastened to the yeard armes with an eye to ther lower ende, thei have ether of them a blocke spliced. The ffalles have ther standing pts fastened to the misson masts heade, from thence they go through the Penant blockes, and thence through 2 other blockes, spliced to ether of the missons foremost shroudes, and thence through 2 blockes spliced to ether of the after shroudes of the mayne mast, and so right downe to the decke, where they ar belayed.

Shetes: 2, they ar fastened to ether clew of the sayle, from thence passe through blockes fastened to the yeard arme, thence they goe through 2 other blockes fastened to the yeard on ether side, one nere the Ties of the mayne yeard, and so to the decke, and ar belayed to the bitts by the mayne mast.

Clewlings, 2, ther standinge parts ar fastened to the Topsayle yeard close to the Ties, from thence they goe through blockes fastened to ether cleu of the Topsaile from thence they goe through other blockes fastened on the yeard, close by ther standing parts, thence they goe through the mayne top, and so through truckes, fastened to the shrouds, to the decke.

Bowlings, 2, thei ar fastened with 4 bridles and 4 cringles on ether of the litches of the sayle, thence they passe through 2 blockes fastened to the topmast stay, thence they passe through a double blocke, both of them, which stands neere the fore top, and is fastened to the head of the foremast with a strap, and so down to the fforecastell, where they ar belayed.

THE TOPGALLANT MAST OF THE MAYNE MAST

It is fastened to the Topmast head by the Tressletrees and the cap of the topmast, and hath these standing ropes to steddy it.

Staye. It is fastened to the Topgallant mast heade at the upper ende, thence it goes to the heade of the fore topmast, ther it passeth through a blocke and so goeth downe to the fore top and is fastened to the Top.

Backstayes, 2, they ar fastened to the head of the mast with 2 pennants which have ether of them a blocke spliced to the lower endes throwgh which blockes the falles ar rived, there standing parts ar fastened to timbers by the missen mast on ether side one and the other parte is belayed by them.

Shroudes, 2 on a side, they ar fastened aloft to the head of the Top­gallant mast below to the Puttockes of the Topmast shroudes.

Lifts, 2, they ar fastened to the Topgallant masts heade thence they goe to the yeardes armes and ar rived through 2 blockes set ther and from thence goe through 2 other blockes fastened to the Topgallant masts heade, and so to the Topmast Top where they ar belayed.

RUNING ROPES FOR THE RIGGINGE OF THE TOPGALLANT YEARDE

Parrell, framed as other parrells.

Robins, fastened to the sayle and yeard as others ar.

Tyes, is a single rope fastened to the middle of the yeard, thence it goes through the hounds of the mast and hath a blocke fastened to the end of it.

Halliers passe through the Tie blocke, and ar fastened and belayed to timbers on the pope before the misson shroudes.

Braces, 2 framed of 2 pennants and 2 falles, which ar the braces, the pennants are fastened to the yeard with eyes, to ther lower endes they have ether of them a blocke spliced, through which the ffalles or braces ar rived. Ther standing endes ar fastened to the misson Topmast heade, the runing pts passe through to blockes fastened to the misson Topmast shroudes, and thence to the rayles on the poope, where they ar belayed.

Lifts, 2 on on ether side, they ar fastened to the Topgallant masts heade, thence they goe through 2 blockes set at the yeardes armes, and from thence passe through 2 other blockes fastened to the Topgallant masts heade, and so to the Topmast Top, wher they ar belayed, the one on the one side, the other on the other side.

Bowlings, 2, one on ether side, thei ar fastened with Cringles and bridles to the litches of the sayles on ether side, thence they passe through 2 blockes fastened to the Topgallant masts stay, thence thei passe, both of them, throughe blockes fastened to the shrouds of the ffore topmast with straps, and so to the foretoppe, where they ar belayed.

Shetes, none, for the standing part of the mayne topsaile liftes ar unbent and fastened to the Clews of the Topgallant sayles, and so serve for sheetes to them.

The Toprope is fastened to the Cap of the mayne mast, from thence it goes through a sheave set in the Heele of the Topmast, and from thence goes through a shiver set in the head of the mainmast, and from thence through a shiver in the knight when you use him; els he is quiled in the Top or fastened to the shroudes.

[in margin] This serves to hoist the Top mast or strike it, and is the Top rope for the mayne Topmast, other Topmasts ar framed of the fassion. The fforemast foretopmast, and fore Topgallant mast have lyke ropes, and serve to lyke pourposes as those of the mayne mast, only they differ in ther fastenings; and the fore mast hath no Garnet belonging to it, nor swifters.

THE BOVESPRITT IS FASTENED TO THE SHIP AS FFOLLOWETHE

AND THE SPRITSAYLE HATH THESE RUNING ROPES BELONGING TO IT

The Bovespright is gammed to the ships head with a rope woulded fast to the fforemast, with an other and bolted fast to the decke; standing ropes it hath none.

THE SPRITSAILE HATH THES RUNINGE ROPES

The Parrell hangeth the yeard to the Bovespright.

Robins fasten the sayle to the yeard.

Halliers: it is fastened to the bovespright at the standinge ende, from thence it goes through a blocke spliced to the middle of the yeard: from thence it goes through an other blocke fastened to the bovespright somwhat nere the standinge part, and thence to the gammings of the bovespright, where it is belayed.

Lifts, 2: ther standing parts ar fastened to 2 short Pennants fastened to the utter ende of the bovespright, from thence ther runninge parts goes through 2 blockes fastened to the yeard armes, and thence through 2 other blockes fastened to ether side of the bovespright, and so goe to the Gammings of the bovespright, where it is belayed.

Braces, 2: they ar sesed to the forestay at ther standing ptes, from thence thei goe through 2 blockes fastened to the yeard armes by 2 short pennants, thence they goe through 2 other blockes fastened to the ffore stay within ther fastenings, thence to the head of the ship, where they passe through 2 blockes fastened there, and so to the fore-castell, where they ar belayed.

Garnets, 2: ther standing parts ar fastened to the forestay within the braces, from thence they passe through 2 blockes spliced to the yeard in the midde betwene the yeard arme and the parrell, from thence they passe through 2 blockes sesed to the forestay belowe ther standing pts, thence they goe through 2 other blockes fastened to ether side of the ships head, and thence into the forecastell, wher they ar belayed.

Clewlines, 2: ther standing pts ar fastened to the Clews of the sayle, the other passe through 2 blockes fastened to the yeard, one on ether side, in the middle betweene the yeard arme and the Parell. From thence thei passe through 2 other blockes seised to the ships head, and so into the fforecastell, and there ar belayed.

[in margin] They serve to docke up the spritsayle, and to hale it up, close to the yeard.

Bunt Lyne: it is made fast to the bunt of the saile, from thence it commes to the bovespright close by the yeard, and goes through a blocke fastened ther, and goes to the forecastell, where it is belayed.

Sheetes: thei passe from the spiritsayle Pennants, through 2 blockes, the Pennants ar fastened to the clew of the sayle, from thos blockes they goe through 2 shivers, which ar set right against the mayne mast one in ether side, and ar belayed to 2 Kevils, ther standing pt is fastened ther.

Horses, 2: they ar fastened to the yeard in the middle, betweene the Parrell and yeard arme single, at the other endes, they have ether of them a deadmans eye, which is fastened to 2 other deadmans eyes, with Laniers fastened to the bovespright with straps.

[in margin] Thei serves for your men to hould by, when they take in or put out yor spright saile.

THE SPRITSAYLE TOPMAST

The Spritsayle Topmast standeth in a Cap, fastened to the Top of a Knee, which standes on the utter ende of the bovespright, and hath his heele set fast in a step made in the bovespright; under the knee are yron crosse trees, and above ar wooden crossetrees, which serve only to make the Top stande square, for on them the Top standeth. The Topmast hath standing ropes these:

Shroudes, 3 of a side: they ar fastened to the head of the topmast above, belowe to puttockes fastened to the Iron crosse trees.

Crane backstaye, on which goes in 6 partes as followeth: his standinge pte is belayed to the forestay belowe the brace blockes, from thence the other pte goes through a blocke fastened to the Topmast heade by a pennant, from thence it passeth through a blocke fastened to the fore stay, belowe his standing part. From thence he goeth through an other blocke, fastened by a Pennant to the Topmast heade, and thence to another blocke, fastened to the fore stay, and thence through an other blocke, fastened to the topmast heade with a pennant allso, and thence goeth through an other blocke, fastened to the forestay, and is belayed to the forestay, somwhat belowe the last blocke, so that the Crane back staye hath 3 pennant blockes fastened to the Topmast heade, and 3 blockes fastened to the forestay.

THE SPRIGHTSAYLE TOPSAILE HATHE THESE RUNNING ROPES

Parrell, as other parrells.

Robins fasten the sayle to the yeard as other robins.

Tie, fastened to the middle of the yeard, thence goes through the hounds in the head of the Topmast, and hath a blocke spliced to it.

Halliers, the one ende of it is fastened to the bovespright by the crosse trees, the other passeth through the blocke fastened to the Tie, and is belayed to the Iron Crosse trees.

Sheetes, none, the spright Lifts ar unbent and fastened to the clew of the Topsayle, and so serve for sheetes.

Clewlines, 2: ar fastened to the clewes of the Topsaile, from thence they goe through 2 blockes, fastened close to ether side of the Tie, thence goe into the ships head, and ar belayed ther.

Braces, 2: they ar framed of 2 Pennants and ffales, the Pennants ar fastened to the yeardes armes, at the other endes they have ether of them a blocke spliced. The ffales (which ar the Braces) ar fastened at ther standing endes to the stay of the fforemast, ther runing parts passe through the pennant blockes, and thence goe through 2 blockes, spliced within ther standing endes, to the ffore stay, and ar then belayed to the stay.

Lifts, 2: ther standing partes ar fastened to the Topmast heade, ther runing pts goe through to [two?] blockes fastened to the yeard armes, and thence through 2 other blockes fastened to the Topmast head, to the Sprightsayle Top, and ar belayed ther.

THE MISSON YEARD AND SAYLE HAVE THES RUNING ROPES

Parrell, which is framed of Truckes and ribs, as other parrells, it hath more a dead mans ey fastened to the parrell at one ende, and the other end of the Parrell ropes commes through the eyes of the deadmans eye, to which an other rope called the Trusse is fastened, this trusse is a single rope, and goes directly to the decke from his fastening to the parrell. It serves to keepe the yeard fast to the mast, for the misson parrell is set more lose then other parrells, because it is, as the winde changeth, shifted from the one to the other side of the mast.

Tie: it is fastened to the yeard 3 ffoote belowe the middle of it, to make it stand hier, thence it passeth through the Hounds of the mast, and hath a blocke spliced to the end of it.

Hallier: his standing part is fastened to the ende of the Tie blocke, the other end goes through the misson knight which standes, before the misson mast, with 2 shivers in it, from thence it goes through the Tie blocke, and thence through the knight againe, and is belayed to the knight.

Bowlings, 2: ther standing endes ar fastened to the yeard through holes, ther other endes goe through 2 blockes fastened to the aftermost shroudes of the mayne mast, and ar belayed to the rayles under the shroudes.

Brailes: ther standinge partes ar fastened with Cringles to the litches of the sayle, thence they passe through 2 blockes set on the yeard below the Parrell, and so to the decke, they ar 2 of them, and ether is of 2 pts.

[in margin] They serve to trusse up the lower pte of the sayle.

Martnets, thei ar 6 of a side, those of ether side goe through a dead­mans eye with 3 holes in it, double which make the 6 ptes. They ar fastened to the upper ende of the Peke of the saile with legges, to the deadmans eyes ar 2 ffales fastened, which goe through a double blocke, fastened to the misson mastes heade, to the deck.

[in margin] They trusse up the upper part of the sayle.

Tacke, one, it is fastened to the lower litch of the saile, when you use it you put it about som tymber under the mayne shroudes, at other tymes it is furled up in the misson sayle. It serves for bothe sides.

Shete, one, it is fastened to the after tymber in the poupe of the ship, thence it goes through a Timber [block?] fastened to the after litch of the saile, and thence through an other blocke, fastened to the foresaid after timber, and ther is belayed.

THE MISSON TOPMAST

The Misson Topmast is fastened to the head of the misson mast as other Topmasts ar, and hath these standing ropes.

Shroudes, 3 on a side, they ar fastened to the Topmast head above, and to the Misson Puttockes belowe.

Stay. It hath a Pennant that fastens it to the Topmast head, at the end of which is a block spliced, through which blocke is rived a double pennant, which hath at ether end an other blocke, through ether of which blockes is rived other double pennants, to ether ende of which pennants ar spliced a blocke. The falles of the stay ar, at ther standing endes, fastened to the aftermost shroude of the mayne mast on ether side, from thence they goe through the pennant last blocke, and thence through other blockes fastened to the mayne shroudes, thence through the last pennant blockes again, and thence through blockes fastened to the after shrouds againe, and ar belayed to the shroudes, so that this stay hath his fastenings to the mayne shroudes on ether side of the ship.

RUNNING ROPES FOR THE MISSON [TOPSAIL] YEARD AND SAYLE

Parrell, framed as other Parrells.

Tie, fastened to the middle of the yeard, thence passeth through the Hound and so to the decke. It serves to hoyse the yeard without a hallier, for it hath noe Hallier rived to it as other Ties have.

Bowlings, 2: they ar fastened with Cringles and bridles as other bowlings, to the litch of the sayle, from thence they passe through 2 blockes fastened to ether aftermost shroude of the mayne mast, crosse wise, that is, the starbord Bowlinge to the larbord shroude, and the Larbord bowlinge to the starbord shroude, and so ar belayed to the timbers by the mayne shroudes.

Sheetes, 2: they ar fastened to the clewes of the sayle, from thence they passe through 2 blockes fastened to the 2 armes of the crosse jacke, and thence goe through 2 blockes fastened on ether side of the Misson masts head, to the rayles under the Misson shroudes, and ar belayed ther.

Lifts, 2: they ar fastened to the Topmast head, thence they goe through 2 blockes fastened to the topsaile yeard armes, from thence they goe through 2 other blockes fastened to the Topmast heade, and so into the misson [top]mast, wher they are belayed.

THE CROSSE JACKE

The Crosse Jacke hath no saile, it serves only to spreade the Misson Topsaile and is slonge fast to the misson mast with a rope, and hath 2 Braces, they ar single ropes fastened to ether arme of the Crosse Jacke, and so goe from ether side to the aftermost Timber on the Poupe and are belayed ther.

Lifts, he hath none, but when ther is use of any, the standinge part of the Topsaile braces [sheets?] ar unbent from the Topsayle, and fastened to the Crosse Jacke, and so serve for Lyfts.

THER AR OF BLOCKES THESE KINDES

Double blockes

Single blockes

Snatch blockes, which serve to bring the ropes to the Capstone.

Winding blockes, which serve to set a mast or heave things of great weight.

Double long Blockes.

Ramheads ar those blockes fastened to the Ties for the halliers to goe in.

Deadmens eyes serve to fasten ropes to the chainewales with other deadmens eyes and laniers.

Truckes -----

Ribbes or sisters-- they serve to put on all parrell ropes of mastes, and Truckes ar placed in divers pts to carrie som ropes to a knowen place to [the] ende [that] men may reddely finde them.

THER AR CHAINEWALES BELONGING TO

The Mayne mast

the foremast

the Misson mast- they serve to fasten the shroudes and other standinge ropes that steddy, the mastes.

THE STANDING ROPES OF TOPMASTS AR FASTENED

TO THE PUTTOCKES OF THE MASTES THAT CARRY THEM

Puttockes ar ropes fastened to the shroudes of any mast. They comme like little shroudes, through the Tops, and have ther ratlinge like shroudes, now of late that part which commes through the Tops of the greater masts ar made of Iron, to prevent wearinge out, as ropes will doe.

ROPES BUT SEVEN IN A SHIPPE WHICH AR

The Boterope, Toprope, Boye rope, Entering rope, Lim[m]er or keele rope, Ladder rope, Bucket rope. All others have particular names.

SAILES BELONGINGE TO A SHIP

Mayne Course, mayne Bonnet, mayne Drabler, one or 2.

ffore Course, fore Bonnet, ffore Drablers, one or 2 : we have respect in sayling of ships to the length of the mast, and all men hould a should [shallow?] Course better and more handy in ffoule weather, and then, to cloathe the mast, we ar driven to take 2 drablers.

Mayne Topsayle, Topgallant, Toptopgallant.

ffore Topsayle, fore Topgallant Toptopgallant.

Sprightsayle; spritsaile bonnet, sprittsayle Topsayle, sprit sayle Top­gallant.

Misson course and bonnet, misson Topsaile, misson Topgallant saile.

Studing sayles, which ar set on ether side of your fore and mayne saile in ther utter sides.

All the sayles of the mayne mast and Misson binde the ships heade to the winde. All of the foremast and Bovespright flatt her head off from a winde.

All mastes ar set upright, except the Mayne mast, which ever hanges afte, the reasons for it ar 2. First, it gives the ship the more way, because it presseth not the ships heade into the sea; secondly, it bindes the ships heade the more to the winde, for all sayles, the farther aft they ar, bindes the ships head the closer to the winde.

TERMES USED OF SEAMEN

Starbord, the right side.

Larbord, and port, the Left side.

Alouffe, is towards the winde.

Romer, from the winde.

Steddy thus, when the ship runs her right course.

Comme no nere, when the ship edges from her course into the winde

Beare up, is when the ship is to weather of her course.

IN CUN[N]INGE OF A SHIP THE MASTER

USETH THOSE TERMES BEFORE WRITTEN

And in steede of Larbord, Porte the helme, the reason is because the word Larborde may be mistaken by the Helmesman, by reason of the affinity it hath with Starbord in sound.

To bring a ship a stayes, you louffe into the winde, till the sayles be driven to the mast.

To Lay a ship on the Lee, you beare up from the winde till the sayles be driven to the mast.

When you will stay for an other ship, you lay your ship on the Lee, or stay with her, or els bring her forre sayle and topsayle on the Lee only, and let her mayne sayle and mayne Topsayle continew their worke. What way they geve the ship the foresaile and for Topsayle hinder.

The ship goeth ether by a winde, before the winde, quarter winde Lasking or veeringe.
By a winde, when the tacke is close abord and the sheetes haled close aft.
Before the winde, when the ship goes, betweene 2 sheetes, right before the wind.
Quarter windes, when the Tackes be abord and the shetes all flowen, and then the ship makes most way because she hath all sayles drawinge, which befor the winde she hath not, for the main sayle becames the fforesaile.
Lasking, or veringe, is when the tackes be a borde, an but one or [2] fadom of the shete veired.
The ship Hulles, without any sayle.
The ship tries, with Misson course or courses, as the winde blowes.
A crosse sayled [square-rigged] ship will lie within 6 pointes of the winde.
A Carvell will lye within 4 or 5 pointes of the winde.
A Hoy will lie within 3 pointes of the winde.
When you enquier what course the ship goes, you may aske howe the shippe Capes, or How she windes, howe the helmesman steres.
The litche of the sayle is the utter edge of ether side.
The Clew of the sayle is the lower part wher the Tackes and sheets ar fastened.
The Bunt of the saile is the middle of the saile.

THE MEANES BY WHICH THE SHIP IS TURNED STEERED

The Rother hangs to the sterne post, and is of the thicknes of the sterne post where it hangs. If it be broader it hinders her steredge, and makes it turne uneasely; from thence it growes thicker and thicker, till it comes to the backe, which is the outter part of it, the thicknes ther makes the ship stere the better.

The Tiller is fastened to the heade of the Rother, and at the Helme porte, commes into the ship, as far as the sterredge.

The Whip is fastened to the ende of the Tiller with an ey of Iron; it comes up at the whipscuttle, through the rowler, into the sterredge rome.

The Whip moves the Tiller, the Tiller the Rother, the Rother guides the ship.

In the sterredge rome is the Bitakle, which is a box madd of wainscott; it hath several particions, it serves to carrie the Compasse, lights and Traineborde.


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