Mast Coats

[wq3296]

Greetings,

 

Typically, there had to be a means of keeping water from leaking in around mast penetrations through the decks of ships. The model ship I am working on now does not call for mast coats but I will add them anyway since they were probably a standard item. How else could you seal around the mast? Practically anything can be used to fabricate mast coats - wood, paper, cloth, etc. painted black. I would expect they extended up the mast at least a foot. I guess they were originally made from tarred canvas or leather. Any thoughts?

 

wq3296 

[robnbill]

The ones that I have seen up close were painted canvas. My model did not have them either. So I constructed rings made of ⅛" wood and shaped them into rings that fit the mast. Following the Connie's paint scheme, they were painted white. Here is a photo of the USS Constitution Mizzen Mast and wheel. You can see the base of the mast behind the wheel.

Edited January 20, 2015 by robnbill

[wq3296]

Thanks robnbill

[robnbill]

You are welcome. FYI, the ones on the Connie look like they are metal. It has been several decades since I was on her. I did see a number of these on a replica ship in Amsterdam and they were canvas. 

[Tadeusz43]

Hi,

A method of sealing around the mast at deck level shown in Figure

From “The Construction and Fitting of the English Man of War 1650 -1850”

by Peter Godwin.

Fotos:

VOC Amsterdam

VOC Batavia

Passat

Wissemara

 

Tadeusz

[wq3296]

Excellent - thanks Tad and robynbill.

[robnbill]

Here are a few more photos of the Amsterdam's seals as well as what it looks like below decks.

 

[hornet]

I'll add a couple more examples from the Endeavour Replica. Made from canvas  I think.

 

 

 

 

[wq3296]

Greetings,

 

Thanks robnbill and Hornet. The pictures really tell the story. As an option I may use an appropriately sized rubber or metal washer.

 

wq3296

[robnbill]

My Mamoli Connie did not have any rings at the base of the mast. So I cut rings out of wood and painted it white.Then glued them down to the deck as I placed the masts. FYI, the masts are not glued in. I did place the end of a needle into the base of the masts so they would stick in one place inside the hull, then used the rigging to hold the masts in their correct rake and side to side. I held off gluing the rings until the masts were in position. 

[wq3296]

Greetings robn...

 

Right, very instructive. I have used the wooden rings before. Tight quarters around the masts on my ship, so I may have to use something more pliable. Thanks again.