Howe's Patent Rig.
Captain Howe's rig for close-reefing topsails, differs from the common rig, by
having double topsail yards. The lower topsail yard is trussed to the lower
cap, and instead of slings, is supported from below by a crane upon the
forward rim of the top.
The yard now is entirely suspended to the cap. The
lower topsail, therefore, is the size of the close-reefed sail of the ordinary
rig, and sets entirely by the sheets. The upper topsail sets upon the part of
the topmast above the cap, and has its foot laced to a jackstay upon the
fore-cant of the yard below, so that no wind can escape between the "two
topsails". This arrangement of the yards has many advantages. Labour and time
are saved in reefing; a ship can be reduced to close-reefed topsails at any
time, by lowering the upper topsails, which will then lie becalmed before the
lower topsails, remaining perfectly quiet in the roughest weather, and can be
furled or not.
In squally weather, then, this rig is invaluable, for whole
topsails can be carried to the last moment, and instantly reduced to
close-reefed topsails with certainly of action, without the necessity of a man
leaving the deck. Its economy in the wear of canvass must also be very great,
for the sails are of manageable size, and have neither bunt-lines,
reef-tackles, or clue-lines to chafe them.
Any ship with the ordinary rig can adopt the new, by a yard to the cap and
cutting the topsails in two; and, if thought proper, enlarge the breadth of
the head, so as to spread more canvass on the same length of yards, as there
is no room required for reefing outside the brace bands: the reef tackles and
blocks will make the braces for the yard at the cap.
It may be observed that in the ordinary rig the trestle-trees are never
relieved from the continual heavy pressure of the weight above, until the
topsail-yard is on the cap, and they are frequently found defective from this
cause alone. In Howe's rig much relief is given by the half-sail and light
upper yard at the topmast head; and when both the two topsails are set, if the
topsail haulyards are let go, the weight of the upper topsail is no longer
resting upon the trestle-trees, as is the case in the old rig.
Again, should a ship lose her three topmasts on a lee shore, blowing hard,
by cutting under the lower topsails and courses, which she would have no
chance to do under the old rig, especially in cold weather with a Lascar crew,
or shorthanded, as many vessels are now sometimes obliged to leave the
Colonial ports to sail round Cape Horn.
A ship with this rig is more seaworthy, because she may always be
considered as under close-reefed topsails, and may be worked with fewer men
than a vessel of the same size having the old rig. It looks rather clumsy in
port, and this, we believe, is the principal objection urged against it by
those who do not comprehend its advantages at sea. Ships, however, are rigged
for service at sea, and not for show in port; that, therefore, which is the
most serviceable is certainly the best.
To Determine the Size of a Topsail on Howe's Rig.
1. The hoist of upper-topsail. -- Allow 2 inches for every 3
feet in hoist or measure taken from the spider-hoop, down to the centre
of the lower topsail yard (see p. 6). -- 2. The hoist of
lower-topsail. -- Subtract 1 ft., for drift and sheeting home, from the
distance the lower yard is below the top of the cap. -- 3. Head of
upper and lower-topsails. -- Subtract 2 ft. from the hounded
lengths of the tow topsail yards. -- 4. Foot of upper and
lower-topsails. -- Subtract 3 ft. from the hounded length of the yard
at the cap, and the lower-yard.
From Robert Kipping: Elementary Treatise on Sails and Sailmaking
with Draughting, and the Centre of Effort of the Sail . . .
Together with an Appendix, Comprising the Inventions of
Self-Reefing Topsails of Captain Cunningham &etc. and Captain
Howe; and Also a Cutting Board or Table, by Mr. Pittard.
5th ed., enl. and greatly improved.
C. Wilson, London, 1860-61 (5th). pp 168-169 [?].
Weale's Rudimentary Series, No. 149.
First published in 1847.
Transcribed by
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