Return-Path: Received: (qmail 8968 invoked from network); 20 Apr 2003 20:35:10 -0000 Received: from netmail01.services.quay.plus.net (212.159.14.219) by mailstore with SMTP; 20 Apr 2003 20:35:10 -0000 Received: (qmail 1990 invoked by uid 10001); 20 Apr 2003 20:35:10 -0000 Received: from post.thorcom.com (193.82.116.70) by netmail01.services.quay.plus.net with SMTP; 20 Apr 2003 20:35:10 -0000 X-SQ: A Received: from majordom by post.thorcom.com with local (Exim 4.14) id 197LVz-0004TA-Sv for rsgb_lf_group-outgoing@blacksheep.org; Sun, 20 Apr 2003 21:34:19 +0100 Received: from [212.135.6.12] (helo=smarthost2.mail.uk.easynet.net) by post.thorcom.com with esmtp (Exim 4.14) id 197LVu-0004T1-MP for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Sun, 20 Apr 2003 21:34:14 +0100 Received: from tnt-5-210.easynet.co.uk ([195.40.200.210] helo=erica) by smarthost2.mail.uk.easynet.net with smtp (Exim 4.10) id 197LVs-000L3h-00 for rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org; Sun, 20 Apr 2003 21:34:14 +0100 Message-ID: <001c01c3077c$f27fb260$d2c828c3@erica> From: "g3ldo" To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org References: <000c01c30692$f02d5340$3ae4fc3e@l8p8y6> <001601c3071d$302ce340$2602a8c0@WorkGroup> <000701c3072b$2c510040$33e086d4@erica> <000701c30758$0d3fb020$98e8fc3e@l8p8y6> Date: Sun, 20 Apr 2003 21:38:45 +0100 MIME-Version: 1.0 X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2800.1106 Subject: LF: Masts Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit X-Spam-Status: No, hits=-6.6 required=5.0tests=REFERENCESversion=2.53 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 2.53 (1.174.2.15-2003-03-30-exp) X-SA-Exim-Scanned: Yes Sender: Precedence: bulk Reply-To: rsgb_lf_group@blacksheep.org X-Listname: rsgb_lf_group X-SA-Exim-Rcpt-To: rsgb_lf_group-outgoing@blacksheep.org X-SA-Exim-Scanned: No; SAEximRunCond expanded to false . I have had a week or so off from LF and computers to go and work as a volunteer guide and ship keeper on board the replica of the HM Bark Endeavour at Shoreham by Sea harbour. The purpose of bringing it up on the this reflector was to express my admiration for the 1750s technology of the wooden masts. The main and fore masts are 128ft (39m) and 110ft (33.5m) high respectively and constructed in three sections with a large overlap at the two joins. There is a platform at each join called 'tops' for spreading the shrouds to the higher sections of the mast. The masts are guyed to the sides of the ship with very thick ropes called 'shrouds', to which thin horizontal 'ratlines' are fixed to make it easy for the crew to go aloft. I found going aloft was quite an experience. The shrouds are under considerable tension and the feel more secure than climbing a ladder at the side of the house. The exciting bit is climbing the overhang (futtock shrouds) to get on to the tops. While I was up there the crew were setting the fore mainsail on our minicruise. I think that I would have to be more used to heights before going out on the yardarm, which must be very exciting in heavy weather. No, they wouldn't let me use the masts for a portable LF station. There are some pictures on my web site. Regards, Peter, G3LDO e-mail Web