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

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After-swifters on the lower-masts.

It has often occurred to me, that it would be a desirable thing if the after-pair of shrouds on each side of the fore and main-mast, were made of larger rope than the other shrouds; as in heavy pitching, the most of the weight and heavy jerking comes on these shrouds. The frequent carrying away of these shrouds, or their securing in the chains without previous chafe, or damage, led me to pay much attention to them; and the more I have watched the masts in blowing weather (more particularly in a head-sea), I have been convinced that it would add much to their security if the after-pair of shrouds on each side were made of larger rope, and the securings from them made stronger in the chains, and down the ship's sides. If the loss of lower-masts were enquired into, most of them would be proved to have been carried away by first losing the after-shrouds. In reality these shrouds are the after-stays of the lower-masts, and the more they are considered so, the better the masts will be secured. If a stay be carried away, you can generally relieve the mast by putting the ship before the wind immediately, and keeping her so, until the damage is repaired. When swifters are carried away by the wind, and you can tack, do it immediately, and lay the sails to on that mast, and brace the yards by, until the damage is repaired. If the ship is by the wind, and it blows too strong to attempt staying, lay your yards aback on the mast of the damaged swifter; or if the ship be in chase, &c., get up runners and tackles, and secure the mast in the best possible manner, until you can get your spare shroud, or messenger, over.

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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