Tools of the Trade: Preparing for Battle
...Should time allow, preparation of a ship for action should follow the usual recommendations. Send topgallant masts and yards on deck, as well as all running rigging that can be spared, studding sail booms, topgallant rigging, wet the sails, get down fore and mizzen topsail yards, house the topmasts, lash them to the lower masts. Pass a hawser round outside the rigging ready for frapping in a wreck, grapnels on each quarter to prevent any gear fouling the stern, snake the stays and backstays, toggle the braces, yards braced sharp up, anchors lashed, boom boats ready for hoisting out, bowsprit and jibboom run in, spare wheel ropes rove, relieving tackles on, preventer stays on the masts, etc.
~ from
A Midshipman's Manual c 1811, author unknown
Header: Pirates Watching a Ship Burn by Norman Mills Price via American Gallery
6 comments:
Ummmm, sure. Okay. I'll get right on that, Pauline... should time allow.
That is kinda one huge paragraph of "sailor speak" isn't it? And how often would "time allow" one wonders?
Interesting Blog Pauline;
I agreed with everything until they began striking the fore and mizzen topsails, I have always thought these to be the preferred "fighting sail" as they eliminated handling sheets and tacks and were well clear of the decks. Not arguing, just curious. Do you know which nation's Navy this was published by?
DaleBurr
Thanks, Dale. Very good point, also. You've added quite a bit to this post.
My understanding is that the Manual was published in England but may not have been used by the Royal Navy. According to Peter H. Spectre, who publishes his "Mariner's Book of Days" every year, it may have been used in the merchant service. The advice would then probably be a suggestion for preparing a ship against privateers or pirates. Pure speculation on my part, though.
Somehow that entire paragraph of sailor speak makes sense. In short: take in everything you can and secure the rest so that, worst comes to worst, the least amount is damaged.
I am curious about the painting, though. Those are pirates? They all seem to be rather uniform, unless they're either recently on the account or, in fact, privateers.
I agree on both counts, Lou. The painting in particular is kind of hilarious is you have some background in the history of piracy. Look at that gun, for crying! The hats, shirts, etc. all scream navy and Royal Navy in particular. Ah well; artists' license and all...
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