Name of Line

[3DShipWright]

Hey folks, so I was wondering if anyone can help me identify the name of this particular line (see screenshot). It's part of the 'gear' on the course sails, and opposes the clueline along with the sheet, except it pulls the sail down and forward - so in conjunction with the sheet - the sail is pulled straight downward.

 

I apologize in advance if I missed it elsewhere in the forum, but without the name, I had not much hope in searching for it.

 

(BTW, is it spelled 'Clueline' or 'Clewline'? I've seen it both ways...)

 

Thanks in advance.

 

[davyboy]

That line is called the Tack.

 

Dave 

[allanyed]

I know clue and clew have been used interchangeably but from what I can find clew came first.   

When did clew become clue?

The spelling clue is first attested mid-15c. The sense shift is originally in reference to the clew of thread given by Ariadne to Theseus to use as a guide out of the Labyrinth in Greek mythology. 

What this has to do with the corner of a sail, I have no idea.

 

Allan

[3DShipWright]

@allanyed - Unfortuneately, I can't mark both replies as 'solution', so I just wanted to thank ya for the addl. explanation.

 

-Nate

[tomarack]

T very helpful is book >Young sea officer sheet anchor,where you can find plenty basic informationabout rig and rigging.
It is for free too, you can download from>Interhet archive >> https://archive.org/details/youngseaofficers00leve/mode/2up

 

The Elements and Practice of Rigging And Seamanship, 1794, by David Steel, is a comprehensive English textbook of rigging, seamanship and naval tactics. A key reference for those interested in the age of Nelson. Although at times difficult because of its fine detail, it will reward those that search through it to understand the technology of the era.

It s available online for free > https://maritime.org/doc/steel/ <

 

at the end ..this rope is really >tack<