USS Constipation 1/120 scale Imai long suffering build

[Airborne01]

From this Richard I think you're referring to the 'catharpins' that come from where the shrouds converge to the outer edge of the fighting tops, in reality they serve as extra tensioning devices; seasoned seamen would use these to access the next set of shrouds - less able or confident seamen would access the shrouds by passing through the rectangular openings adjacent to the mast 'doublings' - termed the 'lubbers hole'! There is a small spreader bar that provides a link between the shrouds and catharpins. Hope this helps!
Steve

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Nice weaving there.
Jim

[wotan]

Richard

The actual shroud extensions as you call them delight in the name FUTTOCK shrouds. The Catharpins are horizontal weaving that tie together the two sets of shrouds (port and Starboard) just below the tops.



On this photo you can see the catharpins joining the two sets of shrouds horizontally and the lubbers hole at the front of the mast head as Steve mentioned.

John

[rtfoe]

Thanks Steve, Jim and John B,

Thanks for the reference on the carthapins and futtock shrouds...man I love all that rope on the fighting tops which is not shown in the destruction sheet.
What are those dangling with loops at the end? Are they more rope attachments to the deck?

Cheers,
Richard

[rtfoe]

Oh no I also need to make more eyes for the futtock shrouds.:disappointed: Thought of just gluing them just behind the outer beam but then again.

Cheers,
Richard

[wotan]

Richard

Those dangly bits are for the securing of the spar (or yard arm) for the main sail. I am not exactly certain but they are either known as JEERS (sometimes JEARS or even GEERS),PENDANTS or SLINGS.

John

[rtfoe]

Richard

Those dangly bits are for the securing of the spar (or yard arm) for the main sail. I am not exactly certain but they are either known as JEERS (sometimes JEARS or even GEERS),PENDANTS or SLINGS.

John

Thanks for that John B. On the kit there are protrusions to glue the yardarms which will make them straight or 90 degrees to the mast. Am I right to say that they ought to be able to pivot depending on direction of wind?

Cheers,
Richard

[Airborne01]

Thanks for that John B. On the kit there are protrusions to glue the yardarms which will make them straight or 90 degrees to the mast. Am I right to say that they ought to be able to pivot depending on direction of wind?

Cheers,
Richard

That's correct Richard - they are suspended on the slings (chains, pendants etc - see John! ) A shaped wooden piece (your protrusions)is secured to the yard and the yard is then retained by a rope and wooden 'ball bearing ' system, (or an iron collar) called 'Parrels' This allows the yard to swivel and to slide up and down the mast! This is the simple answer I'm afraid!
Steve

[wotan]

Richard

Yes you are right. The yards are secured to the mast only by ropes and are free to pivot around the mast. The BRACES, which attach to the end of the yards and run aft down to the deck level, and the TACKS which run forward are used to swing the yards and the attached sails around. When a ship wants to change direction the first order given is "OFF TACKS AND BRACES" which releases the yard then "MAINS'L HAUL" which tells the crew to haul on the weather tacks and the leeward braces to swing the yards around.

If you are going to depict the ship under sail then the yards would not be square but would certainly stand at an angle. However if you are not adding the sails then the yards would be "SQUARED AWAY" and indeed the Topsail and Royals yards would be run down the masts to just above the relative cross trees.

In modelling I fully rig the SLINGS to hold the yards but then I also add a spot of glue just for security, to attach the yards to the masts.

John

[Airborne01]

Richard

Yes you are right. The yards are secured to the mast only by ropes and are free to pivot around the mast. The BRACES, which attach to the end of the yards and run aft down to the deck level, and the TACKS which run forward are used to swing the yards and the attached sails around. When a ship wants to change direction the first order given is "OFF TACKS AND BRACES" which releases the yard then "MAINS'L HAUL" which tells the crew to haul on the weather tacks and the leeward braces to swing the yards around.

If you are going to depict the ship under sail then the yards would not be square but would certainly stand at an angle. However if you are not adding the sails then the yards would be "SQUARED AWAY" and indeed the Topsail and Royals yards would be run down the masts to just above the relative cross trees.

In modelling I fully rig the SLINGS to hold the yards but then I also add a spot of glue just for security, to attach the yards to the masts.

John

And to further confuse the uninitiated there are other ropes such as 'uphauls' and 'downhauls' - it's a minefield mate!

[rtfoe]

Oh goodness gracious me...definitely walked into a minefield. I am putting the sails up so thankfully it'll be squared up but I'll need reference as to how the yardarms are tied up as I assume there will be lots of rope and knots.

Thanks for the feedback and explanation...a lot to process.

Cheers,
Richard

[wotan]

Richard

You may be suspecting that I am a bit of a sailing ship nerd. Anyway this is approximately how the yards are attached to the mast. At the top I have drawn the positions of the yards when the sails are removed.



John

[Jim R]

It's as if I've strayed onto another world. All very confusing. I don't actually give a futtock - I'm just here to enjoy Richard's modelling skills
Jim

[Tim Marlow]

Love seeing true depth of knowledge displayed John….as someone slowly working his way through the Aubrey/Maturin novels this is fantastic stuff…..and the modelling isn’t half bad either……mind you, I’m taking a diversion through Das Boot at the moment, so can you do WW2 submarines as well

[rtfoe]

Richard

You may be suspecting that I am a bit of a sailing ship nerd. Anyway this is approximately how the yards are attached to the mast. At the top I have drawn the positions of the yards when the sails are removed.

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John

Good to have someone like you with this kind of knowledge on sailing ships John. Appreciate very much for your drawn reference which is very helpful in understanding the workings of the yardarm and attachments. Now at least I can pull off roping and hiding the plastic attachment and knowing that squaring off is the right position for the yardarm. I hope I don't make a mess if it.
No wonder it looks so busy at the fighting tops and cross trees on real sailing ships..

It's as if I've strayed onto another world. All very confusing. I don't actually give a futtock - I'm just here to enjoy Richard's modelling skills
Jim

Confusing for you Jim but most helpful for me. The build is beginning to be enjoyable with the extra help. :smiling3:

Love seeing true depth of knowledge displayed John….as someone slowly working his way through the Aubrey/Maturin novels this is fantastic stuff…..and the modelling isn’t half bad either……mind you, I’m taking a diversion through Das Boot at the moment, so can you do WW2 submarines as well

Thanks Tim...its sailing for the moment but I bet John will be as comfortable with underwater subjects. :smiling3:

Cheers,
Richard