Boarding nettings - what size mesh?

[Louie da fly]

I'm not sure if this is the right place to ask - maybe it should be in "rigging".

 

However, wherever it belongs, does anyone know the size of mesh (and rope thickness) used in boarding nettings? This is intended for a 16th century ship, but data from any period would be helpful - I think the mesh size wouldn't be likely to change much over the centuries, as the problem to be solved didn't change much.

 

Any information or advice gratefully received.

 

Thanks,

 

Steven

[Baker]

I am also interested in this topic

 

The Mary rose looks to be a good source of information.
look here on page.80

 

https://books.google.be/books?id=A5-ACgAAQBAJ&pg=RA1-PA80&lpg=RA1-PA80&dq=anti-boarding+netting&source=bl&ots=QPLNL7G03S&sig=ACfU3U3M84A3LtPl4L8oUqFiYkW2HW0xlQ&hl=nl&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwil07ax1YHhAhVGblAKHUbYCrIQ6AEwCnoECAMQAQ#v=onepage&q=anti-boarding netting&f=false

 

 searching further 🧐

 

And found some more

 

The mesh is about 10cm 

The rope is (roughly estimated) 1.5cm

Anti-Boarding Net _ These are fragments of anti-boarding net… _ Flickr.html

Edited March 14, 2019 by Backer

[vossiewulf]

Conceptually I'd assume the best size was one that easily let a foot/leg go through but was much too small for a body. That way many of the boarders get tangled largely defenseless in the netting.

[Louie da fly]

Patrick, that's exactly what I needed! Thanks so much! The netting is for the Great Harry, but I hadn't thought of checking out the Mary Rose, which was almost a sister ship (though smaller).

 

Vossiewulf, I'm sure that's the way it was. And the 10cm (4") mesh would do that very nicely, I should think.

 

Steven

[Louie da fly]

So if the Great Harry is 1:200, the meshes should be 100/200 = half a millimetre (about 1/50 inch). I'll have to start looking for something suitable.

 

Steven