Can't remember basic jargon... it's driving me mad...please help!!

[NealB]

Sorry, I've been watching Hornblower...........

What do you call the horizontal 'shelf' bits, on the outside of the hull of an old sailing vessel, to which the lower ends of the shrouds were attached?

 

[MoodySabre]

https://cnx.org/contents/MKkkS-a6@3...Parts-and-Sails-of-19th-Century-Sailing-Ships

 

[sarabande]

Chains ?

 

[Major_Clanger]

Rigging chocks

 

[NealB]

Thanks for the suggestions!

As so often, when something is on the tip of my tongue, and I've spent an hour or so racking my brain on it, soon after I've reluctantly given up (and, in this instance, placed it in the capable hands of the forum)........... the answer comes to me from I don't know where .......


"Channels" was the word I was after.

I can sleep easy, now!

Thank you, and it's good night from me!

 

[Poignard]

"The Young Sea Officer's Sheet Anchor: Or a Key to the Leading of Rigging and to Practical Seamanship" by Darcy Lever is a good reference book

 

[cherod]

quite a good prog, i think , about the only thing i have watched recently ( admittedly with the volume down !! ).

 

[zoidberg]

The standing rigging was oft-times discontinuous at the channels, with the lower parts usually being iron/steel chainplates. The channels served to widen the staying base, and their modern counterparts can be traced to the long lateral spars used on some Open 60s to carry the capshrouds. e.g.

 

[sarabande]

I think the forum is re-writing an established definition

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chains_(nautical)


More likely that "channel" is properly known as "chainwhale"

 

[NealB]

The standing rigging was oft-times discontinuous at the channels, with the lower parts usually being iron/steel chainplates. The channels served to widen the staying base, and their modern counterparts can be traced to the long lateral spars used on some Open 60s to carry the capshrouds. e.g.

Yes .... Channels provide a similar function to the spreaders ..... As well as providing a convenient position for the leadsman.

 

[NealB]

I think the forum is re-writing an established definition

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chains_(nautical)


More likely that "channel" is properly known as "chainwhale"

I like, and can easily believe, your theory of the etymology ('chainwhale' to 'channel'), but I plead not guilty to rewriting an established definition.

I think the use of the word 'channels', in this context, is widely used.

Edit:

There's loads of references online. I'll just offer these two:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shroud_(sailing)

https://modelshipworld.com/index.php?/topic/2514-question-on-channels-and-chain-plates/

 

[Neeves]

Now, why did you ask in the first place?

Jonathan

 

[NealB]

Now, why did you ask in the first place?

Jonathan

I think the title gives a good hint to my motivation (and there's other clues in the thread), but I'm happy to expand if required!

 

[Frank Holden]

I plead guilty to having checked my often faulty memory on wiki....

Leadsmen stood in the chains....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chains_(nautical)

 

[NealB]

I plead guilty to having checked my often faulty memory on wiki....

Leadsmen stood in the chains....

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chains_(nautical)

Agreed, but if the chains were held outboard by channels, then surely the channels would provide a much easier, more comfortable, and safer spot, to do their work?

I could well be wrong but, for example, I think that the leadsmen on the Grand Banks schooners, in the original 'Captain's Courageous' (just about my all-time favourite film), stood on the channels.

Edit:

And, since it's worth a thousand words, here's a lovely drawing:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth...onde_sur_une_frégate-Morel_Fatio-img_3163.jpg

 

[Poignard]

Surely their primary purpose is to act as struts, in conjunction with the deck beams.

 

[doris]

Agreed, but if the chains were held outboard by channels, then surely the channels would provide a much easier, more comfortable, and safer spot, to do their work?

I could well be wrong but, for example, I think that the leadsmen on the Grand Banks schooners, in the original 'Captain's Courageous' (just about my all-time favourite film), stood on the channels.

And, since it's worth a thousand words, here's a lovely drawing:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth...onde_sur_une_frégate-Morel_Fatio-img_3163.jpg

Wow!! That's a job I definitely do not fancy!!

 

[NealB]

Surely their primary purpose is to act as struts, in conjunction with the deck beams.

Yes ... as zoidberg suggests, in post 7, they're sort of very low spreaders.

 

[davidlhill]

Interesting definition of "basic jargon"!

 

[NealB]

Wow!! That's a job I definitely do not fancy!!

Ooooh, what's not to like?

Pay was good, the shifts were short, rations were delicious, nutritious and plentiful, sleeping quarters were palatial and luxuriously furnished, with loads of privacy, the senior management teams were supportive and understanding.