The jackstays were fitted in pairs, one on each side, with an eyesplice over the yard arm, and a thimble at the other end. These were seized together after the thimbles had been hauled taut with a tackle. Rope jackstays remained in use for a long time after iron wire jackstays had been introduced, and one source indicates that the 'reefing jackstay' was made with rope, even when the 'bending jackstay' was iron wire rope. Middendorf writing in 1902, says that the jackstays of steel ships were made of iron rod (Rundeisen).
Dating the introduction of iron wire jackstays is problematical, and I am sure there was a large period of overlap. 'Reefing jackstays' came into use with single reef points ....some time prior to 1840. BTW, were these fitted in the 1929 refit of Constitution? The earlier type passed throught the sail, and the after one came up underneath and round the yard. With the French or Jackline Reef, a reefing jackstay was essential. There is more about this in the Chapter on 'Reefing' in Seamanship in the Age of Sail.
Murphy and Jeffers Nautical Routine and Stowage 1849 say that at that date, merhcant ships used iron jackstays, and that the Navy Department had mentioned bending jackstays of iron in naval vessels.
William Brady Kedge Anchor, in the 6th edition, mentions iron wire jackstays in a footnote to Para 150. This appears in later editions also, but does anyone have access to an earlier edition where it it is not mentioned.
Burney Young Seaman's Manual 1869, describes rope jackstays, but says that those on lower and topsail yards 'are now of wire rope'.
Nares Naval Cadet's Guide 1860 illustrates a rope jackstay.
P Lecompte (1842) and G P J Mossel (1858) mention rope jackstays,
whileD J Boom (1888), says that jackstays in the Royal Dutch Marine were
of iron-wire rope.
{John Harland}
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