capnsensible
Well-known member
Not keen on going to the top of your mast?
- Thread starter capnsensible
- Start date
dunedin
Well-known member
Surely they have a few spare helicopters that could give done that ? 
Sandy
Well-known member
That was banned by the MOD decades ago!Surely they have a few spare helicopters that could give done that ?
A pal worked 'on the ranges' years ago. They were often dropped onto a mast to fix kit, but that was banned after an accident. My pal was not happy as they would be dropped beside the structure then have to lug kit up it.
john_morris_uk
Well-known member
Agreed. It’s slightly cheaper to use a cherrypicker too.
38mess
Well-known member
I have an aversion to masts since being forced up Ganges mast twice a week as a boy, no thank you 
mjcoon
Well-known member
What does "go to the foot of our stairs" mean?
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
This expression derives from the North of England. It did travel to others parts of the UK during the 20th century, notably the Birmingham area where it was commonplace, but not much further, and is little known in other parts of the English-speaking world. It is now less used than previously, although it is still staple fare for any writer wishing to write a part for a stage northerner.
This means presumably that the short walk to the place mentioned would allow the speaker to recover equanimity. Or perhaps it meant it was time to give up and go to bed! Used by Tommy Handley in BBC Radio's ITMA (1940s) and elsewhere. Said to have been used by the entertainer George Formby as 'Eeh, I'll go to the foot of our stairs', as also, 'Eeh, I'll go to our 'ouse (pronounced 'our rouse')' - Robina Hinton, Suffolk . Chris Littlefair gave this variation from the North-East : 'I'll go to the bottom of our garden" (Source: phrases.org.uk)
all culled from the internet
S04
New member
To me a Lancastrian it's an expression of surprise, roughly equivalent to "Well I never", or "Would you believe it".
mjcoon
Well-known member
Ah, yes, I think that was what I understood it to mean decades ago when I heard it. Probably on TV; I never lived further north than Sheffield...
justanothersailboat
Active member
Rather a good cherrypicker though.
I did contemplate hiring a cherrypicker for some alongside-the-quay mast work at one point. Then I got one of those webbing mast ladders and a climbing harness
/ascender and fitted a spare halyard and so far that's been enough. It's a pretty big "enough". I know they have all sorts of requirements I know little about but I still wonder, would it really not be better for the Navy to make these things climbable... so they can be fixed when time, barges, and plant hire companies are not freely available?
I did contemplate hiring a cherrypicker for some alongside-the-quay mast work at one point. Then I got one of those webbing mast ladders and a climbing harness
/ascender and fitted a spare halyard and so far that's been enough. It's a pretty big "enough". I know they have all sorts of requirements I know little about but I still wonder, would it really not be better for the Navy to make these things climbable... so they can be fixed when time, barges, and plant hire companies are not freely available?
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
I’m sure they have the ways and means to climb it if they have to. But the cherry picker will be the easiest way to get 2 contractors up there for a decent, permanent fix.
Snowgoose-1
Well-known member
There a bunch of softies now.
BUTTON BOYS AND MAST MANNING by H.M.S. Ganges Museum
BUTTON BOYS AND MAST MANNING by H.M.S. Ganges Museum
RivalRedwing
Well-known member
The new mast looks shorter than the original, is it?
colind3782
Well-known member
The yard here in Empuriabrava has access to a cherry picker and most people use it rather than climbing. The last time I used it the cost was €30/hr (cash 
) so not too onerous.
) so not too onerous.
Chiara’s slave
Well-known member
25 quid, or be winched up the mast. Let me think about it……The yard here in Empuriabrava has access to a cherry picker and most people use it rather than climbing. The last time I used it the cost was €30/hr (cash
mainsail1
Well-known member
The mast folds down so I wonder why they used a cherry picker?
Blue Seas
Member
To undo the locking bolt.
zoidberg
Well-known member
".....Hoist the colours high!"
S04
New member
That's quite right but it only folds down to something getting on for 90° so to work on the business end still requires some sort of access solution. Admittedly not as high as when the mast is in its normal operating position though.
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Snowgoose-1
Well-known member
I have posted a question about the height of the mast on the HMS Ganges museum site.
I'm sure we will get a response.
