Improvements in Masts and Rigging for Sailing Boats.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 20th Aug.; 1889
Complete Specification Left, 30th Sept., 1889-Accepted, 2nd Nov.,
1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Masts and Rigging for Sailing Boats.
I, JAMES GEORGE DANIEL of 24; Layfield Road Gillingham Kent Mäster Mariner;
do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows :
In place of the one mast rising from the centre of the beam of the boat in
ordinary use, I employ two masts one on each side of the boat rising from the gun-
wales and attached to them by the ordinary sockets. These two masts are adjusted
so as to incline towards one-another at their suinmits and are connected with each
other by a cross beam which is fastened to the, masts by eye bolts.
At the centre of this cross beam I provide an eye through which passes the
haulyards or rope by, means of which the sail is hoisted into position. The sail then
being between the two masts moves freely from side to side according to the direction
of the wind, and at the same time the sail requires no lowering down,, and the yard
of sail dipping the opposite side of masts, (the sail freely working between the
two masts,) an occurrence which always happens in the case of wending or putting
the boats about with the one mast now in general use, and which is accompanied by
inconvenience and occasionally by danger.
As my improvements are capable of some modifications without departing from
the principle thereof, I do not restrict myself to materials dimensions or to the
precise form or placement of the parts thereof.
Dated this 19th day of August 1889.
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London; W., Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Masts and Rigging for Sailing Boats.
I, JAMES GEORGE DANIEL of 24 Layfield Road, Gillingham, Kent, Master Mariner,
do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed; to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
Statement:
The sailing boats in ordinary use have their masts placed in the centre of the
beam or width of the boat. If the boat have only one mast it is usually placed
nearer the bow or front part of the boat than the stern or hinder part of the boat.
The sail which is very generally employed in the case of the smaller kinds of sailing
vessels or boats is of the variety known amongst mariners as thè lug sail. This sail
is of various forins in outline, and is fitted at its upper edge or margin with a spar of
timber the whole length of the said edge or margin so that the whole sheet of canvass
may be properly extended or spread to catch wind; this spar is usually known as the
yard. The sail is hoisted into its position by means of the halyard or rope which is
attached to the yard and which passes through an eye-hole near the top of the mast
of the boat; the free end of the halyard is pulled down, by which means the yard and
sail are hoisted up on the other, side of the mast until the yard reaches the afore
mentioned eye-hole in the mast; the halyard is then secured to a cleat provided for
that purpose, the two lower corners of the sail are secured; and the boat is in sailing
trim. The front extremity of the yard and edge of the sail in the case of the
ordinary lug sail are usually much nearer the bow of the boat than the mast itself,
so that the yard and sail cross the mast, consequently the sail has to be boisted on
the opposite side of the mast to that against which the wind is blowing, so that the
sail may belly out and hoid the wind without being hampered by the mast in any

page_text: way; This is satisfactory while the boat holds on in the same or nearly the same course;
but when it is desired to alter the course of the boat so that the wind blows against
the other side of the mast and sail, it is then necessary to lower the sail place it on
the other side of the mast and then hoist it again, in order to secure the full sailing
qualities of the boat.
This manoeuvre as will readily be seen occupies time, is inconvenient, and in
rough weather is sometimes dangerous.
The object of my invention is to provide means by which an ordinary lug sail may
move freely from side to side so as to always get the full benefit of the wind in
which ever course the boat may sail, without the necessity of lowering and rehoisting,
or in any other way occupying time, or inconveniencing or endangering the occupants
of the boat.
This result is obtained in the following way. In the place of the one mast rising
from the centre of the beam or width of the boat in ordinary use, I employ two
masts, one on each side of the boat, opposite one another, rising from and attached
to the gunwales by ordinary sockets. These two masts are adjusted so as to incline
towards one-another at their summits, and are connected with each other at or near
their summits by a cross beam which is attached to the masts by eye bolts, sockets
and pins, or other simple and removeable contrivance.
At the centre of this cross beam 1 provide an eye through which passes the halyard
or rope by means of which the sail is hoisted into position.
The sail then occupies precisely the same position as it does in case of boats with
the one mast, but instead of being able to belly out effectually on the one side only,
as in the case of the one mast, it is able, hanging as it does between my two masts
each of which are at a sufficient distance from it, to fill out on the one side or the
other without the slightest hinderance or obstruction being offered by the said two
masts or any other part of the rigging.
Thus when it is desired to alter the course of the boat from that in which it has
been sailing, the helm is put up, the bow of the boat turns round, and the wind
catching the sail on the other side causes it to swing round and fill out on the
opposite side to that which it had just previously inclined, thus causing the boat to
progress in its altered course without any loss of time, trouble or inconvenience.
As my improvements are capable of some modifications without departing from
the principle thereof, I do not restrict myself to materials, dimensions or to the
precise form or placement of the parts thereof.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. The providing of an ordinary sailing vessel or boat with two masts side by
side in place of the one mast now in ordinary use.
2nd. The providing of two masts to an ordinary sailing vessel or boat with a
connecting beam at or near their summits.
3rd. The providing of two masts side by side with a connecting beam at or near
their summits for the purpose of holding a sail in position and giving it the necessary
freedom for the proper progress of the boat or vessel to which it is applied, substan-
tially as herein more particularly described.
Dated this 27th day of Sentember 1889
RAYNER & CASSELL,
37, Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicant.