Rigging Mast Deadeyes Order

[acaron41120]

When do you install the mast deadeyes? Rig it on each mast section then install the sections together or assemble the masts sections and then rig the deadeyes? Seems to me that installing the deadeye rigging before assembling the masts sections would be the better way as the fighting platforms (aka crows nests) wouldn't been the way. Thanks for your replies.

[Fritzlindsay]

I may be misinterpreting your question but here goes.  Installing topmasts after the lower shrouds are set up makes sense, but not the tops. The lower shrouds usually go through the tops/platforms so how could you rig the shrouds and deadeyes before hand?  The picture may not be appropriate for your model as it is a drawing by C.N. Longridge in his book about building a model of the Victory.

Fritz

 

Edited Sunday at 08:31 PM by Fritzlindsay

[Gregory]

For modeling purposes, it might be easier to rig the shrouds before placing the tops.

[barkeater]

I install all sections of the masts and platforms prior to adding the shrouds. Even if you tied in the shroud just distally, you still have to have the platforms in place as your lines need to go outside of the crosstrees and bolsters. Plus, you attach the shrouds in a specific order. The order could get messed up if hanging free for any length of time. You have to leave enough room to fit in the heel of the topmast or topgallant and this is tight. Easier to fit the lines one at a time rather than all at once and still keeping them looking neat and in correct order. Also, the topmast and topgallant have to a fit tightly together and adjustment with shrouds in place may make it more difficult. You want to get your masts all aligned midline and with the correct angle. I feel for me this is easier to set this up all at once and glue it rather than doing it in stages.

Rich

[popeye2sea]

It should not be any great problem to pass the eye of the shrouds up through the lubber hole in the tops and then over the mast head before settling them down in the proper sequence over the bolsters.

 

Regards,

Henry

[acaron41120]

I have my bottom and top masts set up and ready to rig. I was just over thinking it. I'll start Wednesday with trigging the main mast shrouds and work my way up then move to the fore mast and finish with the mizzen mast. Thanks for the help and getting m y mind to quit overthinking it!

[petervisser]

Hi Allen. I am currently working on the rigging of my own model at the moment and have dealt with the standing rigging not that long ago.

Myself, this is how I would tackle it. Start with the shrouds on the lower mizzen mast. This will in effect set this mast as the anchor of the forward masts. Then add the lower stay from the mizzen mast to the deck or base of main mast as it will put some strain on your mizzen mast shrouds and is easier to attach without the lower main mast shrouds in the way. Attach the lower main mast shrouds and follow that up with the lower main mast stays. Then the lower foremast shrouds and fore stay. Finish off the lower level of standing rigging by attaching the bob stays of the bowsprit. After that go up a level and start back at the mizzen mast topmast shrouds, backstays and topmast stays. By now you are probably seeing a pattern to this method. I always think of it as trying to maintain a rake of the masts so that they have a slight bias of leaning aft. As for the shroud attachment, I attach them to the base of the mast and then pass them down the lubber hole or cap.

Of course there are others who may have an easier or more convenient order of rigging. This is just my take. Incidently, I am rigging the ratlines last. This will allow me to reach inside the standing rigging to attach the running rigging. Working inside to out so to speak.

Good luck with this next stage of your model.

Cheers,

Peter

Edited Tuesday at 07:02 PM by petervisser

[acaron41120]

Thanks for your method. I may give it a try.

[Fritzlindsay]

1 hour ago, petervisser said:

Then add the lower stays from the mizzen mast to the deck adjacent the main mast as they will put some strain on your mizzen mast shrouds and are easier to attach without the lower main mast shrouds in the way.

What you are saying makes a lot of sense, but wouldn't that depend on the ship, nation and era.  According to James Lees, in The Masting and Rigging of English Ships of War the mizzen stay on English warships did not go to the deck before 1805.

Fritz