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Irish
Coast Guard Historic |
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Setting the Scene |
THE GROUND TACKLE. This is the term used for the heavy equipment
used in the Breeches buoy rescue, in this section some very strange
and, perhaps, unfamiliar words will be used. They will be a mixture
of nautical and 19th century terms which I shall endeavour
to explain. Before the invention of the steam and later, the oil engines,
to move heavy objects, sailors relied on Spars (lengths of timber)
Ropes and Pulley blocks. A short explanation regarding pulley blocks
may be necessary for those who may not be familiar with them. PULLEY
BLOCKS. A block is a portable pulley, made
either of wood or metal or a mixture of both wood and metal. In the
era I am dealing with, wooden blocks were constructed and used. The
basic components of a pulley block are, The Shell or Body, Sheave
(the wheel over which the rope runs) the Pin on which the sheave spins
and the fitting by which the block is secured in the right position.
The types of fittings are a Hook, an Eye, and a Strop, (rope spliced
around the block) the grove in the sheave is milled out to take a
specific size of rope, the correct size rope should always be used.
The number of sheaves can vary, but it would be unusual for more than
four sheaves to be in one block, they would be classified as ‘Single’
‘Double’ or ‘Treble blocks’ etc. Another type
of block used is a ‘Traveller block’, this block has two
wheels, one behind the other and two roller guides each end with an
‘Eye’ fitting underneath. It is used to travel along a
tensioned rope whilst carrying a load, as in a breeches buoy rescue.
The two wheels are for stability, the guides to ease the passage along
the rope; it would not be used for lifting objects. THE WHIP & BLOCK. This is an endless rope reeved (threaded through) a single pulley block with a one fathom (2 meters) of a Tail (rope) attached to the block. It is secured to the shore end of the rocket line and pulled out to the ship by the ships crew! It is tied as far up the mast as possible using the tail. This is the method of moving the traveller block to and from the ship along the Jackstay (main hawser). Attached to the block is a Tally board with instructions as to what to do in four languages, English, German, French, & Norwegian. |