Iron Mast Cap Orientations in Steam/Sailing Ships

[mtaylor]

Thanks for the info Pat.   This Goober gets it.

[wefalck]

Finally, I had time to check my German early 20th century textbook:

MIDDENDORF, F.L. (1903): Bemastung und Takelung der Schiffe.- 401 p., Kassel (reprint 1977 by Horst Hamecher).

On p. 268 he states explicitly that "Mast-caps are perpendicular to the masts and spars (unlike the tops that are either parallel do the sheer or the waterline) ..."

 

However,

STEINHAUS, C.F. (1869): Die Construction und Bemastung der Segelschiffe.- 137 p., Hamburg (L. Friedrichsen & Co., reprint 1977 Horst Hamecher, Kassel).

draws both variants, wooden and iron caps that are either perpendicular to the mast or very slightly inclinded, while tops are always at an angle to the mast.

 

I think at the bottom line, perpendicular caps are the most likely variant and the easiest to fabricate by forging, but  inclined ones would not be a problem either.

 

Edited January 20, 2023 by wefalck

[BANYAN]

Thanks Eberhard, that is much appreciated - and just as I was settling on parallel .  Seems perpendicular is correct (for European ships at least).  Based on the imagery I think the slightly inclined (not entirely parallel) would fit with your assessment.  

 

cheers

 

Pat

[michaelpsutton2]

All the plans for the Pride of Baltimores I & II have caps and trees parallel to the water line. The plan of the Palgrave Barque of 1894 has tops perpendicular to the masts top parallel to the waterline.

[BANYAN]

Thanks again Michael.  From the inputs received and based on my research it would be a reasonable statement to say that up until the mid-19th century the caps could either orientation, with perpendicular initially, slowly evolving to parallel fitting as time progressed.   This was especially so as the rakes on the masts until then was not so severe.  However, with the introduction of clippers and steam vessels (in very general terms and exceptions exist), from the mid-19th century it appears that the caps were fitted parallel with the tops/waterline.

 

Appreciate all the feedback received.

 

Cheers

 

Pat

[rwiederrich]

On 1/27/2023 at 6:20 PM, BANYAN said:

Thanks again Michael.  From the inputs received and based on my research it would be a reasonable statement to say that up until the mid-19th century the caps could either orientation, with perpendicular initially, slowly evolving to parallel fitting as time progressed.   This was especially so as the rakes on the masts until then was not so severe.  However, with the introduction of clippers and steam vessels (in very general terms and exceptions exist), from the mid-19th century it appears that the caps were fitted parallel with the tops/waterline.

 

Appreciate all the feedback received.

 

Cheers

 

Pat

Time to, *Make it so #1*.

 

Rob

[BANYAN]

Aye Aye skipper!   I have accepted this as the case and they will be shown parallel.

 

cheers

 

Pat