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Irish
Coast Guard Historic |
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Setting the Scene |
THE JACKSTAY. A “Stay” is the name given to a wire or rope that prevents
a mast from falling forward or backwards, a “Shroud” is
the name given to a wire or rope that prevents a mast falling from
one side to another. The “Jackstay” is the name given
to the rope that connects the mast of the ship to the shore on which
the “Breeches buoy traveller block” runs. The hemp jackstay
was of 1” (25mm) diameter rope, 125 fathoms (225 metres) long
and was stored on the floor of the cart / wagon ready to be pulled
out by the whip. The jackstay was reeved (threaded) through the traveller
block, attached to the whip and hauled out to the ship. The traveller
block was secured to the leg of the “Triangle” (tripod)
to prevent it from being carried out on the jackstay. When the jackstay
was secured to the ships mast it was put into the “Snatch block”
(pulley with a gate) at the top of the triangle. It was secured to
the “Luff tackle” (pulley’s with ropes) and tensioned,
the breeches buoy and whip was then attached to the traveller block.
The introduction of synthetic ropes was welcomed as they were lighter
and stronger, the diameter of the jackstay was reduced to ¾”
(19 mm), it also had an eye spliced into the end to take a stainless
steel shackle which was attached to the whip block. The whip block
was now made of stainless steel and Tufnell but still had two tails
attached |