GrandpaPhil Posted May 6, 2018 Share #1 Posted May 6, 2018 What exactly constitutes fighting sails for the British? In nearly every old painting depicting a sea battle, the ships participating had the main sails furled with the others out. I’m asking because I want to build my HMS Victory as she would appear in battle. Thanks in advance. thibaultron 1 Quote Building: 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships) On the building slip: 1:72 French Ironclad Magenta (original shipyard plans) On hold: 1:98 Mantua HMS Victory (kit bash), 1:96 Shipyard HMS Mercury Favorite finished builds: 1:60 Sampang Good Fortune (Amati plans), 1:200 Orel Ironclad Solferino, 1:72 Schooner Hannah (Hahn plans), 1:72 Privateer Prince de Neufchatel (Chapelle plans), Model Shipways Sultana, Heller La Reale, Encore USS Olympia Goal: Become better than I was yesterday "The hardest part is deciding to try." - me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtaylor Posted May 6, 2018 Share #2 Posted May 6, 2018 In close, the main sails would have been not furled as that took some time but brailed up to get them out of way. The other sails would be used for maneuvering during the battle. Canute, CaptainSteve, Captain Poison and 2 others 5 Quote Mark "The shipwright is slow, but the wood is patient." - me Current Build: Past Builds: La Belle Poule 1765 - French Frigate from ANCRE plans - ON HOLD Triton Cross-Section NRG Hallf Hull Planking Kit HMS Sphinx 1775 - Vanguard Models - 1:64 Non-Ship Model: On hold, maybe forever: CH-53 Sikorsky - 1:48 - Revell - Completed Licorne - 1755 from Hahn Plans (Scratch) Version 2.0 (Abandoned) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trippwj Posted May 7, 2018 Share #3 Posted May 7, 2018 While there would be some commonality to what was used, there was also flexibility - each Captain and sailing master had preferences based on individual ship performance and, more important, tactical environment (meteorological and engagement type). Mark is quite correct that the largest sails were generalky not used, as they were for stronger winds and cruising, not manuevering. In general terms, one or two topsails may have been set, along with a couple of staysails and, depending on wind conditions, the driver (spanker). Take a look at the many period paintings available to get a feel for the various arrangements. mtaylor and thibaultron 2 Quote WayneNeither should a ship rely on one small anchor, nor should life rest on a single hope.Epictetus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Griffith Posted May 7, 2018 Share #4 Posted May 7, 2018 GrandpaPhil, good advice by Mark and Wayne. The courses also posed a significant fire hazard during battle from their own guns as well as from the enemy, so brailing reduced that problem. Brailing the courses also improved visibility. Good luck with your build~! Duff thibaultron, MartinB, mtaylor and 2 others 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrandpaPhil Posted May 7, 2018 Author Share #5 Posted May 7, 2018 Thanks guys, much appreciated Canute, thibaultron and mtaylor 3 Quote Building: 1:64 HMS Revenge (Victory Models plans) 1:64 Cat Esther (17th Century Dutch Merchant Ships) On the building slip: 1:72 French Ironclad Magenta (original shipyard plans) On hold: 1:98 Mantua HMS Victory (kit bash), 1:96 Shipyard HMS Mercury Favorite finished builds: 1:60 Sampang Good Fortune (Amati plans), 1:200 Orel Ironclad Solferino, 1:72 Schooner Hannah (Hahn plans), 1:72 Privateer Prince de Neufchatel (Chapelle plans), Model Shipways Sultana, Heller La Reale, Encore USS Olympia Goal: Become better than I was yesterday "The hardest part is deciding to try." - me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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