Smile-n-Nod Posted March 24, 2021 #1 Posted March 24, 2021 (edited) Why were deadeyes use instead of pulleys to connect the shrouds to the sides of a ship? Wouldn't the shrouds need to be tightened (or loosened) periodically? Edited March 24, 2021 by Smile-n-Nod Brett D.
Bob Cleek Posted March 25, 2021 #2 Posted March 25, 2021 (edited) Blocks move easily in both directions. A free-turning block makes the work easier because the friction is low. Deadeyes, on the other hand, aren't intended to move freely. Friction is a good thing in a deadeye. Deadeyes, having no moving parts, are also somewhat easier to manufacture than blocks and they are stronger because they distribute their load more. Blocks carry their entire load on the sheave axle. Deadeyes are adjusted when first "setting up" rigging or when taking up the stretch in new standing rigging after it "settles in," but aren't otherwise generally intended to be adjusted periodically. The lee shrouds will be slack and the windward shrouds tight when the ship is under sail. They change places every time the ship is tacked. Nothing is done to the deadeye lanyards when that occurs. Edited March 25, 2021 by Bob Cleek Smile-n-Nod, wefalck, Louie da fly and 5 others 8
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