Some questions about shrouds

[Vinnie]

Hi guys. I’m coming up to the shrouds in my build shortly and other than a picture which I’ll post, the instructions are a little bit silent on details. So I’ve been doing some research into ways of doing them and standard practice  

Firstly I’ve seen from my research the the shroud seems to be served. But how much of the shroud should be served? Is it the whole shroud down to the deadeye or is it just for the loop around the mast  

Also secondly I see that they are done in pairs. 

So if one shroud goes to the forward most starboard deadeye, does the other go to the forward most port deadeye or the aft most part of the same channel? Or just simply next to it? I’m sorry if this doesn’t make sense...if it doesn’t please let me know so I can explain it better.

[Thistle17]

Vinne:

You neglect to say what you are building. That said, I suggest you look at some examples on this web site. Look at EdT's,Young America clipper starting at page 76 where he begins working the shrouds. Also if you look at the Syren's,Cutter Cheerful you will see not all shrouds are served completely. Hope this helps.

Joe

[Jim Lad]

Vinnie,  shrouds were indeed set up in pairs, each pair made from one length of rope with an eye seized into it to go over the mast head, so one length would go from the deadeye, up and around the masthead and back down to the next deadeye abaft the first one on the same side of the ship. Shrouds were set up as follows; first pair on the starboard side, second pair on the port side, third pair on the starboard side, etc.  If there were an odd number of shrouds, the single shroud was called a 'swifter'.  Swifters were sometimes made up from one length of rope with an eye seized in the middle to go from the after deadeye on one side, up over the masthead and down to the after deadeye on the other side.  Alternately, each swifter was made independently with an eye seized in the end to go over the masthead.

 

Shrouds were normally served around the eye where they went over the masthead and down several feet to prevent chafing on rigging around the top.  It was also common practice to serve the foremost shrouds on each mast for their full length to help minimise chafing of sails.

 

John

[Vinnie]

21 minutes ago, Thistle17 said:

Vinne:

You neglect to say what you are building. That said, I suggest you look at some examples on this web site. Look at EdT's,Young America clipper starting at page 76 where he begins working the shrouds. Also if you look at the Syren's,Cutter Cheerful you will see not all shrouds are served completely. Hope this helps.

Joe

Apologies thistle17...I’m working on the Bounty...and having a ball doing it 

[Mark P]

Hi Vinnie;

 

Your picture doesn't show it,  so unless it is shown elsewhere,  there was a rounded piece of timber,  the bolster,  set on top of the trestle-trees.  This was to ensure that the shrouds did not sit against a sharp edge,  and become weakened by it. 

 

Also,  on many ships,  the shrouds were not the first ropes to go over the masthead.  If you are making a warship,  take a look at James Lees' 'Masting and rigging of English Ships of War'.  If it is a merchant vessel,  try Underhill's 'Masting and Rigging the Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier', which is very well illustrated and informative,  written by a man who loved sailing ships,  when there were still enough of them around for him to have personal experience of them.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

[Vinnie]

Wow thank you Jim Lad that really helps...and you answered even the next question I was going to ask if you told me that both ends of the pair where on the same side and there was an odd number of shrouds! ...mind blown

[Vinnie]

8 minutes ago, Mark P said:

Hi Vinnie;

 

Your picture doesn't show it,  so unless it is shown elsewhere,  there was a rounded piece of timber,  the bolster,  set on top of the trestle-trees.  This was to ensure that the shrouds did not sit against a sharp edge,  and become weakened by it. 

 

Also,  on many ships,  the shrouds were not the first ropes to go over the masthead.  If you are making a warship,  take a look at James Lees' 'Masting and rigging of English Ships of War'.  If it is a merchant vessel,  try Underhill's 'Masting and Rigging the Clipper Ship and Ocean Carrier', which is very well illustrated and informative,  written by a man who loved sailing ships,  when there were still enough of them around for him to have personal experience of them.

 

All the best,

 

Mark P

Thank you mark p...It seems my kit doesn’t include this detail. I will also take this into account and will do some research. And then do some kit bashing 

As I said I am working on the Bounty which I imagine was rigged as a merchant even after her RN refit. Thank you for the book recommendations, I need to build up my stash and will take your advice 

[JerseyCity Frankie]

The Art of Rigging, by George Biddlecombe, is an easily and inexpensively obtained book covering the shrouds and much else. I would not be surprised if you could get an eBay copy for under $5. Including shipping. Its got a comprehensive glossary and covers every important bit of rigging in excruciating detail. Not many illustrations though. Another good book to have is Wolfram Zu Mondfelds Historic Ship Models. Again, very inexpensiv. Mondfelds book has lots of illustrations on every page and covers broad swaths of gear rigging and techniques from all ship eras. You won’t regret owning either book.

[druxey]

Also good references to consider:

 

Darcy Lever, The Young Sea Officers' Sheet Anchor (A slightly later time period, though)

David Antscherl, The Fully Framed Model, Volume IV

C. Nepean Longridge The Anatomy of Nelson's Ships (Again, slightly later)

[Richard Griffith]

And there is the The Armed Transport Bounty (Anatomy of the Ship) (Hardcover) on Amazom for under $25 US which has LOTS of details.       Duff

[vaddoc]

Well, this has been a very satisfying thread, I got answers to questions I never new I had! Good luck with your boat Vinnie.

[Vinnie]

Thanks for the recommendations everyone I’ve already ordered some! 

[Schrader]

Vinnie

 

I'm new in the group.  I'm working on the Bounty (AL 1:48).  Just ready to help just let me know

[Vinnie]

She’s a real beauty hellmhut. I love how weathered your deck looks! 

 

It appears that you have served the part of the shroud that goes around the mast...if you have may I ask what your method was? 

[Schrader]

Here a detail and the book I use as guide

[Schrader]

Vinni

 

Take a look in www.syrenmodelshipcompany.com.  I use a  Serv-o-matic like machine. I build one in acrylic.  It works really well

 

Regards

[Schrader]

www.syrenshipmodelcompany.com

[Vinnie]

I’m glad to hear it’s worked well  ...I discovered on another build log these “serving machines” and I’ve ordered one from domanoff workshop a few days ago. I can’t wait till it gets here!

[Dowmer]

Vinnie,

Check your sources for the bounty rigging.  She may have used catharpins on the shrouds as well.

[Schrader]

Vinnie

 

You are right