Leechline of the Topsail

[cardely]

Harland said this is not retained ever since the introduction of reefing, since the leechline will have less and less advantageous lead with each reef.

 

But on the other hand, he did mention the "old" method of furling topsail as a "T" is followed well into 18 century.

However, Harland also told that the throat of the T is formed by canvas restricted by the leechline.

 

Both points can be verified by many comteporary paintings, when setting topsail, there's no leechline, while it is furled in T.

 

 

 

[cardely]

My guess is: this "waist belt" is improvized from other ropes, for example, the T'gllant halyard