Research Note

TopGallant Rigging

John Harland

This adds little of substance to the discussion, but the following citation from a relatively obscure source ( J C Pilaar Het Schip et dezelfs Tuig (The ship and her rig), Medemblik, 1838, seems to confirm Steel's (uncrossed) description. Besides it adds one more method. Loosely translated, it reads:

"The TG rigging consists of three ( in small vessels two) shrouds which with the TG backstays form two spans. They lead first through the holes in the outer ends of the crosstrees, then inside the futtock-stave and along the topmast rigging to the top, where thimbles are turned in. Three of the deadeyes are fitted with strops with thimbles, to which the TG shrouds are secured with tackles, which can be set up by hand. Rarely, there are loose TG futtock-shrouds, to the upper end of which a thimble is spliced. The other end leads from above to below through the holes in the crosstrees, taking a round turn around the futtock-stave, and down the topmast shroud to which it is secured with seizings. In that case the TG shrouds are much shorter with thimbles in the lower ends, which are set up with tackles."

I am not sure whether the tackles are left in place, or merely serve to haul taut a laniard connecting the thimbles. I would favor the latter explanation.
{John Harland}

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