IMPROVED MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR LOWERING OR STRIKING THE MASTS OR SHIPS AT SEA WITH SAILS AND COURSES SET."
Year: 1861

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Vandercruyce, of the Cours du Trente
Juillet, No. 32, at Bordeaux, in the Empiro of France, Master Mariner,
for the Invention of "IMPROVED MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR LOWERING OR
STRIKING THE MASTS OR SHIPS AT SEA WITH SAILS AND COURSES SET."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Vandercruyce at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the
19th January 1861.
I, HENRY VANDERCRUYCE, of the Cours du Trente Juillet, No. 32, at
Bordeaux, in the Empire of France, Master Mariner, do hereby declare the
nature of the said Invention for "IMPROVED MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR LOWERING
OB STRIKING THE MASTS OF SHIPS AT SEA WITH SAILS AND COURSES SET," to be as
follows:-
The object of my Invention is to permit the upper masts and yards of a
ship to be struck without difficulty while the ship is under its lower sails. I
propose that the lower masts should be of the usual size, but that their caps
should rise sufficiently above the top to receive the sling of the lower topsail
yard, and a provisional sling for the yard above it, so as to render this yard
independant of the topmast when lowered. And in order to avoid the friction
of this yard against the topmast while lowering, it may be kept off by a rope
leading forward. The lower masts will have a sunken block in their cap, or,

page_text: if preferred, a cheek block. Two moveable iron arms to support the front o
the tressle-trees when brought down will start from a circle of iron on the cap
and go to the front of the chest or case of the topmast, where they will be
held by chains from the sunken or cheek block before mentioned. These arms
will be united by a cross-piece, on which will be the standing part of the top
rope, or a simple pulley will be hooked on to this cross-piece accordingly as a
single or double top. rope be found desirable; if double, the topmast should
have two sunken blocks in its chest or case. The lower masts will be further
provided (at a distance from the cap regulated by the length of the rigging or
shrouds of the topmast) with two moveable arms or brackets held upwards by
chains from an iron ring fixed above them round the mast. These brackets
will serve to receive and support the chest case or foot of the topmast when
lowered. The tressle-trees of the lower masts will receive an elongated oval
piece, and close in front with a binged cross-piece. This piece being open,
and the mechanism of the main yard lowered along the mast, by presenting
the topmast between the two stays of the lower mast, and introducing its
point in the top, the foot chest or case of this mast will be brought upon the
deck at the foot of the lower mast, and on fitting the top rope and closing
the front of the tressle-trees the mast will be ready for hoisting. On these
tressle-trees cleats will be pinned, so as to retain the key of the topmast, in
order that its foot or case may not press upon the hinged piece of the
tressle-trees. On the before-mentioned oval piece of the tressle-trees will
be moveable bars, and their length added to that of the elongated oval will
be equal to the beam of the ship. These bars will have a rigging, consisting
of the cross preventers or backstays of the topmast, and a cramp in shape of
a goose foot, the back standing part of which will fasten to a cleat in the
inside rail of the ship at the back of the lower shrouds, and the front will
strop a double tackle block, the lower pulley of which will be hooked in front
of the lower shrouds exteriorly, and the fall of which will fasten to a cleat
fixed in the inside rail of the vessel in front of the rack of the mainmast.
These moveable bars will have a sunken block at their end, through which
the cross preventers or backstays of the topgallant masts will pass to strop a
single tackle pulley, the tackle of which will come plumb with the topgallant
mast. Within the rigging above mentioned a haul will start at a suitable
height from the cross preventers or backstays of the topmast, pass through
these moveable bars, and hook on to an upper pulley of the tackle of the
backstays of the topgallant mast. At the back of the bars will be fixed a
staple ring to receive a haul, which will pass thence through a block on the
backstay of the topmast to the deck. Part of the tressle-trees, back and

page_text: front, will be cut to permit the top rope to pass freely. On the oval piece
will be staple rings to receive the shrouds staying the lower mast. The top-
masts will be of the same length as the lower mast, less the depth of the
bull, and the rigging of the masts will be of a suitable height, varying as
more topsail and less topgallant sail be desired, or vice versa. From the
head of the topmast will start the ladder or shrouds, ending in two staple
rings at the back of the tressle-trees, and at a suitable part of this ladder will
be placed a screw jack descending to the deck. Two small moveable arms
will project from this ladder, and support its lower extremity when the mast
is struck, and by working the screw jack the topmast ladder will treble on
itself, and fall along the lower mast. The royal masts will generally have
triangular sails, and passing through a wedge at the head of the topgallant
mast their lower extremity will rest in a grommet at the head of the topmast
by the aid of a wooden pin or head stick. These masts must be considered
as studding sail booms, and their sail as a studding sail. The mechanism or
gearing of the lower yards will be so arranged as to allow the topmast to
pass freely without touching the lower yard, and it would be preferable if the
lower mast were square at the height of the lower yard, considering the
manner in which (by the position of the yards) the force will be distributed,
only four lower shrouds need be used, one to stay, one for backstay of the
topmast, and one for the topgallant mast. Each of these latter standing parts
will have a traveller spliced on to it at a suitable height, and will be tightened
by a screw. This screw will have at its head a strong hook, which when the
mast is struck will serve to hook on to the traveller of which we have spoken
to again haul taut the mast. The stay of the topmast may be fitted in the
same manner, and a simplification might be made by means of a chain and a
rack. The stay of the fore topmast will pass through a dead eye stropped on
to the bowsprit, and thence round the main jib boom to a screw fixed on the
fore part of the vessel. The stay of the main topgallant mast will pass
through a fixed pulley on the cap of the foremast, and will strop a tackle
pulley, the fall of which will descend to the deck, and the lower pulley of
which will be fixed to the lower mast. The topmast may taper upwards until
it forms both top and topgallant mast in one piece. .

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said Henry Vandercruyce in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 17th July 1861.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, II ENRY
VANDERCRUYCE, of the Cours du Trente Juillet, No. 32, at Bordeaux, in the
Empire of France, Master Mariner, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Nineteenth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, in the twenty-fourth year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me,
the said Henry Vandercruyce, Her special licence, that I, the said Henry
Vandercruyce, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as
I, the said Henry Vandercruyce, my executors, administrators, and assigns,
should at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at
all times thereafter during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully
might make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of Great
Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man, an Invention for
"IMPROVED MEANS OR APPARATUS FOR LOWERING OR STRIKING THE MASTS OF SHIPS
AT SEA WITH SAILS AND COURSES SET," upon the condition (amongst others)
that I, the said Henry Vandercruyce, my executors or administrators, by an
instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention,
and in what manner the same was to bo performed, and cause the same
to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within six calendar months next
and immediately after the date of the said Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Henry Vandercruyce, do hereby declare
the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to
be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement, reference being had to the Drawing hereunto annexed,
and forming part of this my Specification, and to the figures and letters of
reference placed thereon, similar letters denoting corresponding parts in each
of the Figures respectively.
Figure 1 shews the sails of a vessel having my system of striking the masts
applied. These sails, even if crowded, will together with the upper masts be
found perfectly safe at sea. Figure 2 represents the masting struck on to its
moveable step, the sails of this mast being set, and sometimes with light
breeze and heavy swell the triangular sails shewn at Figure 1 may be set.
This Figure further represents the apparatus used in striking the mast, the

page_text: manner in which the top rope is passed, the iron crutches or brackets on
which rests the topmast, and the cap of the lower mast which serves to render
the topsail yards independent of the topmast. If desired, by unreeving the
halyard of the yard g, the mast could be struck on to the deck, leaving the
vessel fore and aft under the sails V, C, B. Figure 3 shews the moveable bars
and the piece on which they are fitted by means of two simple ring joints, the
projection of the cap of the lower mast and part of the topmast, its notches or
channels, cleats or cheeks, shrouds of cap, cross-backstays of the topmast,
and the haul of this backstay going on to the pulley (Figure 1). passing
through a sunken block on the moveable bar; u is a ring bolt, in which passes
another backstay, which passing through the traveller y stropped on to the
topmast backstay, descends to the deck, and serves to lower the moveable bar
to leeward, and to keep it secure when the mast is struck. a, moveable iron
crutches or brackets; b, moveable bars; c (Figure 2), moveable arms;
d (Figure 2), obliquo circle of iron, strengthening the sunken block on the
cap, through which passes the top rope or cheek block, if objection is made to
piercing the mast; e, head of the lower mast, with its iron ring and ring bolts;
f, lower topsail yard; g, topsail yard; h (Figure 3), sunken sheave in the
cap of the lower mast; i, fore part of the tressle-trees, which are hinged;
k (Figure 3), furrow or notch made in the cross-pieces, for free passage of the
top rope; 1, key of the topmast held by its cleats; m (same Figure), bridles
or crows-feet descending to the deck; n (same Figure), hauls going to th
pulley (Figure 1) on the cross-backstay of the topmast; o, dead-eye through
which the stay of the main topgallant mast (Figure 1) passes, stropping round
a tackle block, the lower pulley of which is fixed on the foremast; p (Figure 2),
tightening screws; r, hooks on the end of these screws; (Figures 1 and 2),
travellers on the backstays of the top and topmast, passing to the hooks r, for
hauling taut when the mast is struck; 9, pieces of wood fitted together, and
consolidated by iron fillets, or round pieces of wood with iron extremities, or a
piece entirely of iron replacing the tops; s (Figure 2), top rope of the topmast;
u, ring bolts placed at the back of the moveable bars (Figure 3) to form the
standing part of a haul passing through the traveller y (Figure 1) to the deck;
w, sheave sunk in the topmast (Figure 2), in case it should be desirable to
dispense with the moveable step a; x (Figure 1), masts with triangular sails,
which masts can be struck on deck when its sails are taken in; z, pulleys of
the cross-backstays of the topmast acting as a simple tackle for giving tension
in working; t", end of rope for hauling the yard g forward. My masting
consists of lower masts, top and topgallant masts in one piece, and upper
masts carrying triangular sails. The lower masts are of the usual dimensions,

page_text: and their cap of such length as will permit the lower topsails (the yard of
which is beneath the block), to have a spread equal to that of a close-reefed
topsail. The beads of these masts will rise sufficiently above the block to
receive the sling of the yard f (Figure 2), and a provisional sling for the
yard g (same Figure), so as to render this yard independent of the topmast
when struck. To avoid friction of this yard against the topmast in striking,
it may be hauled forward by means of the rope t" leading forward (Figure 2).
The lower masts have a sunken sheave in their cap at h (Figure 3), or in lieu
of it a cheek block, (see d, Figure 2). Two moveable iron arms (of such
length as will permit them when lowered to support the front of the tressle-trees)
start from a circle of iron v, (Figure 2) on the cap, and go to the front of the
chest of the topmast, where they are held in position by chains from the iron
ring d (Figure 2). These arms are united by a cross-piece, which will be
made the standing part of the top rope, or a simple pulley will be hooked to
this cross-piece, as it may be desired to pass a simple or double top rope, in
which latter case the topmast must have two sunken sheaves in its chest
instead of one. My lower masts have further, at a distance from the block
determined by the length of the shrouds of the topmast to its heel; two moveable
crutches or brackets a (Figure 2), held from above by chains leading to an
iron ring on the mast. These crutches may lower on to the mast, or be sent
to the deck, and will serve to receive the key of the topmast, and support the
masting. Nevertheless, for more solidity and quickness, two lengths of chain
starting from the ring of the gearing of the lower sail, or from any other point
of the lower mast, will go to two-cleats or ring bolts fixed beneath the chest of
the topmast, one starboard, and one larboard, passing through the gearing of
this lower sail, the mast being on end or swayed up, and which will serve as
slings when the mast is struck. It follows that if it is not deemed necessary
to lower the crutches, or even to fix them at all, the masts may still be struck.
In certain vessels of small dimensions, it will suffice to pierce a mortise or
sheave hole in the topmast at the height required, so that the mast being
struck, the topmast may be held by its key, or a smaller key which would
pass into this mortise or sheave hole and be held by the cleats on the
tressle-trees. This last method might suffice, and the moveable iron arms of
the lower mast be dispensed with, together with the slings and chains imme-
diately above mentioned. From the position of the yards, and the disposition
of strength in my masting, the topmast bearing only secondary sails with
little surface, the mortise or sheave hole of which I have made mention may
be pierced without much objection, and the topmast still remain capable of
fulfilling its mission. The tressle-trees on the lower masts will be made

page_text: to receive the pieces 9 (Figure 3). They will be closed in front by a
hinged cross-piece. This piece being opened, and the gearing of the main
yard lowered along the mast, on presenting the topmast between the two
stays of the lower mast, and introducing its head in the block, the chest or
heel of the mast may be brought upon deck at the foot of the lower mast, and
by fixing the top rope and closing the front piece of the tressle-trees the mast
will be ready for hoisting. On these tressle-trees will be cleats, bolted so as
to retain the key of the topmast, so that the chest of this mast may not press
against the hinged piece of the cross-trees. On the piece 9 of the cross-trees
(Figure 3), are moveable bars, the length of which added to that of the
piece q equals the beam of the ship. These bars will have a rigging con-
sisting of the cross-backstay of the topmast and of a bridle or crows-foot, the
back standing part of which will hook on to a ring bolt fixed inside the rail of
the ship behind the lower shrouds, and the fore part strop a double-tackle
pulley, the lower part of which will be hooked in front of the lower shrouds
exteriorly, and the fall of which will fasten to a cleat on the inner rail in front
of the rack of the mainmast. These moveable bars have a sunken sheave at
their extremities, through which passes the cross-topgallant backstay stropping
round a single-tackle pulley, the fall of which comes plumb with the topmast.
Within the shrouds above mentioned a haul n (Figure 1) starting from a con-
venient part of the topmast stay, will pass between two openings in the
moveable bars, and hook on to the upper pulley of the tackle of the cross-top-
gallant backstay; on the back of the bars a ring bolt will be fixed to receive a
haul within it passing through the traveller y' (Figure 1) fitted on the back-
stay of the topmast, and thence to the deck. A notch k (Figure 3) will be
cut in part of the tressle-trees for the passage of the top rope. On the piece q
(Figure 3) are ring bolts to receive the shrouds of the cap of the lower mast r
(Figure 3). The topmasts will be as long as the lower masts less the depth of
the hold, so as to be placed along the lower masts without requiring the block to
be eased along its cap. The rigging of the masts will be at a suitable height,
but optional, accordingly as more topsail and less topgallant sail be required, or
vice versa.
From the topmast rigging starts the topmast shrouds or ladder,
which descends to two ring bolts on the back part of the tressle-trees. On
this ladder is seized a screw jack descending to the deck. Two small move-
able arms from the block on the cap will fend off this ladder, and uphold its
lower extremity, when the mast-being-struck the screw jack is worked, and
the topmast ladder treble folding on itself falls along the lower mast. The
mast carrying the triangular sails will pass through a guide or warp in the
topgallant rigging, and its lower extremity will rest by means of a foggel in a

page_text: grommet in the rigging of the top. These masts must be considered in the
light of studding sail booms, and their sails as studding sails. The lower yards
will be so slung as to allow the topmast to pass freely without touching the
lower yard, and it would be preferable for greater solidity to have the lower
masts square at the point from whence the yards are slung. Considering the
manner in which strength is distributed by the position of the yards, only four
lower mast shrouds need be placed, one for the cap, one topmast, and one top-
gallant backstay; each of these two latter standing parts will have a traveller
spliced upon it at a suitable height (see t, Figure 2), and will haul taut by a
screw. This screw will have a strong hook at its head, which, when the mast
is struck, will serve to hook on the traveller just mentioned, so as further to
secure the mast. The topmast stay may be installed in the same way, and a
simplification might be made by means of a chain at one end and a rack. The
stay of the fore topmast will pass through a dead-eye stropped on the bowsprit
round the standing jib boom, and end at a screw bolt fixed in the fore part of
the ship. The main topgallant stay will pass into a fixed pulley on the cap of
the foremast at o, Figure 1, and strop a tackle pulley, the fall of which will
descend to the deck, and the lower pulley be fixed to the lower mast.
Operation of striking the masts, supposing the weather to be bad, the sea
heavy, and the barometer falling.-The topgallant sails are furled, and in an
ordinary vessel two reefs in the topsail. If the wind is ahead, advantage will
be found in striking the deadwood or naked masts. In vessels rigged on my
plan, the sail g (Figure 2) will be furled, the lifts of this yard will be cleared,
the provisional sling from the head of the cap of the lower mast will be passed,
and the rope end t" (Figure 2) will be hauled upon, the lower part of the
halyard of the yard g will be cased at the tressle-trees, and the tightening screws
of the topmast shrouds or ladder will be relaxed. This done, two small tackles
will be hooked in the travellers of the topgallant backstays, and everything
let go. A seaman will be placed on each of the tackles above mentioned,
another at each of the tackles of the moveable bars, and a fifth at the top-
gallant stay. On the order to veer, they will leave away on the top rope
while casing away the tackles; the mast thus eased, the key will be withdrawn
and the veering continued until the chest of the topmast is level with the
crutches or brackets a (Figure 2), which will be lowered, and upon which
will rest the masting. The cross-topgallant backstays are then swayed
upon, the rigging of the top brought together, the screw jack of the topmast
shrouds or ladder will be worked, the hooks of the tightening screws will be
hooked into the travellers on the respective backstays, and everything tightened
afresh. Thoroughly to secure the topgallant mast, the moveable bar should

page_text: be lifted by means of a small tackle from its extremity ending at the block on
the cap. In an extreme case, by unreeving the sling of the yard g the chest
of the mast may be brought upon the deck. The yard g and that of the top-
gallant sail would be braced close up, and their arms well tightened. The
fore topmast when struck will be accompanied in its descent by the jibstays.
The secondary advantages derivable from my system of rigging are,-
Firstly, in the caps of the lower masts more room being given for gear. The
lower topsail yards are in every position held by their slings and their two lifts,
and are independent of the topmast.
Secondly, the iron stays or moveable bars. The lower yards will be upheld
in every position by their slings and the two lifts. In going to windward my
masting will be firmer than with tops, especially in warm and rainy latitudes.
Bracing up will not strain the masting, and the yards may be braced closer.
By the aid of these iron stays the masting will be protected in striking from
oscillating with the roll of the ship; much less expense than the tops.
Thirdly, the hinged tressle-trees. A topmast may be easily shifted at sea.
Fourthly, topmast forming top and topgallant mast in single piece. As
much canvass is shewn as under ordinary masting. Topgallant masts and
their fitting or stepping are economised.
Fifthly, striking by the aid of my top rope. The top rope coming from
forward, aft, and perpendicularly, loses none of the strength brought upon it.
The striking apparatus of the inasts being quite independent while resting under
the principal sails and courses, the fore topmast, the main topmast, or both
together may be struck accordingly as it may be desired to lie to, run before
the wind, or bear off from the land.
Sixthly, my small masts with triangular sails. Less expense than royals
with yards, and as soon as the sails are taken in the masts are immediately
brought upon deck, and offer no further resistance to the wind.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Vandereruyce, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and sixty-one.
HENRY VANDERCRUYCE. (LS.)
Witness,
A. ALARET,
-16, Rue Esprit des Lois, à Bordeaux.