Ratlines on Futtock Shrouds

[RossR]

Does anyone know if the futtock shrouds between the cross tree and the top mast shrouds should have ratlines on them?   I am building a late 18th century Spanish frigate.  

[popeye2sea]

Yes.  The lubbers hole that exists in the top is not actually there for sailors to pass through.  It is there to allow rigging to pass through the top on the way to the base of the mast.  The lubbers hole when the ship is fully rigged is pretty much chock full of rigging. There would be not enough room for a sailor to pass through easily. It can be done, but it is actually much easier to go up the outside via the futtock shroud ratlines and over the rim of the top.

 

Regards,

Henry

[RossR]

Thanks for the reply.  I think you might be describing the futtock shrouds lower on the mast.  I am talking about the ones right below the cross tree where the top mast ends and the top gallant mast starts. See the ones drawn onto the photo below.  Perhaps I am using the wrong terminology.  
 

[popeye2sea]

I was describing the lower ones. I may have misread your question.  Futtock shrouds take the name from the "foot hook" or the "foot hook plates" that they hook in to. So when you said from the topmast shrouds, I assumed you had a question regarding the topmast futtock shrouds.

 

Given that, I do not think there was the same necessity for ratlines on the topgallant futtock shrouds. There is much less rigging that passes through the gaps in the top mast cross trees and so would not impede the climbing through of the sailors.  I have not read any references to ratlines on the topgallant futtock shrouds

 

Regards,

 

Henry

[allanyed]

Will there be a stave around which the futtock shrouds ran before being seized to the lower shrouds?  

Allan

 

 

Edited December 10, 2023 by allanyed

[RossR]

Yes.  There is a stave. 

[rwiederrich]

ratlines are generally present on most big rigg ocean going carriers and clippers.

 

Notice them here. 

 

Rob

[Dziadeczek]

I don't know about Spanish frigates, but this is the situation on the "Surprise" in San Diego.

Edited December 21, 2023 by Dziadeczek

[JerryTodd]

It depends mostly on the distance involved.

If a man couldn't reach the top/crosstrees, from the shrouds, there would have to be rats on the futtocks.  The larger the ship/rig, the more likely this will be, such on Victory here...