IM- PROVEMENTS, IN THE MAKING, REEFING, AND WORKING OF SAILS, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF MASTS, SPARS, AND RIGGING FOR SHIPS AND BOATS
Year: 1857

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William James Gifford, of No. 23, New Millman
Street, in the County of Middlesex, Esquire, for the Invention of "IM-
PROVEMENTS, IN THE MAKING, REEFING, AND WORKING OF SAILS, AND IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF MASTS, SPARS, AND RIGGING FOR SHIPS
AND BOATS."
Sealed the 11th May 1858, and dated the 13th November 1857.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William James Gifford
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on
the 13th November 1857.
I, WILLIAM JAMES GIFFORD of No. 23, New Millman Street, in the County
of Middlesex, Esquire, do hereby declare the nature of my said Invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MAKING, REEFING, AND WORKING OF SAILS, AND IN THE
CONSTRUCTION AND ARRANGEMENT OF MASTS, SPARS, AND RIGGING FOR SHIPS AND
BOATS," to be as follows:-
This Invention relates, first, to certain improved constructions, arrangements,
and combinations of sails for ships and boats.
Second, to an improved system or mode of reefing and furling ships' sails.
Third, to an improved system or mode of masting ships and boats, and
arrangement of standing rigging:
Fourth, to an improved construction and arrangement of the spars, yards,
A

page_text: and running rigging of ships and boats. The advantages to be derived by the
adoption of this Invention are the power of sailing closer to the wind, the
obviating impediments to a vessel's progress when close hauled, presented by
the masts and gear, the obtainment of greater command in manoeuvring,
especially in "staying," and facility for reefing and furling the sails without
the necessity of going aloft. These several advantages are attained by the
employment of a peculiar combination of the well-known "square," and "fore
and aft" rigs, together with other modifications and additions herein-after
referred to, the whole forming an entirely new rig, which I term the "gaff-
yard rig," since the principal spars employed combine the properties of the
yard and the gaff. One of the principal features of this style of rig is, that the
whole of the square or quadrangular sails are bent to their spars, both at the
foot and heads, either directly or by the intervention of "battens."
This mode of bending sails necessitates the employment of means for
strengthening the same, for which purpose I use what I term "gaff-yard
canvass," and "cord bands." The gaff-yard canvass is used for giving increased
power of resistance to tension in the direction of the length of the sail, or
perpendicularly thereto, in which case this canvass is substituted for the ordinary
canvass, in one or more breadths or cloths.
The "gaff-yard canvass "differs only from the common canvass in this, that
although its weft or cross threads are of the same size and strength as the
other canvass, the warp or down threads are made much stronger and larger
than ordinary, according to the strength required. The "cord bands" consist
of flat rows of line or cord of from three to eight inches in breadth, the lines or
cords being slightly fastened or woven together by cross threads, and kept
thereby in equable tension. Two of these bands are employed opposite to
each other, one on each side of the sail across breadths. or cloths, or
diagonally, each opposite pair of bands being sewn together in such a manner
that every single cord of one band shall be opposite to and lie in the space
between two cords of the corresponding band on the other side of the sail. In
order to render the following description more clearly understood, I shall class
the canvass carried by each mast into sails that are divided" at. the mast,
and sails that are "undivided."
-"
The "divided" sails, like fore-and-aft sails, present either surface.to the
wind according to the tack. They are the topsails and all below them; and
ordinarily form the principal part of the canvass, which in sails of this class
is divided and distributed in two nearly equal parts, one afore. and the
abaft the mast, which thus forms a vertical central, line to the two divisions.
The division abaft the mast has precisely the same action as a common "fore-

page_text: "
and-aft rig, whilst that afore the mast is brought, when close hauled, to
windward of that abaft, and in a plane parallel to it or nearly so, the essential
point being that every part of the lee-leech of this fore "division" remain to
windward of the mast, and so on each side alternately for each tack. This is
accomplished in square sails by a transverse parallel movement of the spar,
which spar I propose to call the "crab tree," and to which the foot of the fore
"division" is bent, together with a corresponding action of the " swing batten
above, and "'tween batten" in the middle for the remainder of the lee-leech.
This fore "division" of the sail may be either an entire square sail or com
posed of two triangular ones so placed, that on either tack the whole presents
to the wind but one weather leech. The "undivided". sails, like ordinary
square brig sails, present' only one of their surfaces to. the wind, namely, the
surface farthest from or outside of the mast and spars in regard to the wind,
the sail being blown towards the mast in place of away from it as in the common
square rig. Sails of this class include the top riggers herein-after described,
which in some instances take the place of all other sails, and in such case
must be considered as a separate variety of the "gaff-yard" rig ordinarily, and
when "divided" sails are used, the top riggers with the other" undivided" sails
are hoisted aloft above the top sails and the top riggers, when used to take
the place of the others. These last sails, which may be either royals or gunter
sails, if hoisted when sailing close hauled, must be placed to windward of the
mast; but the top rigger sails are constructed so as to present their proper side or
surface to the wind alternately on each change of tack; it is also proposed to
employ "duplicate" sails, "gunwale, sails," for example, one on each side of
the line of keel, when the aforesaid parallel plane to windward can be by this
means more conveniently obtained, and one or both of these may be used-at
the same time.
"
The gaff-yard is a horizontal spar, balanced as a yard, but with the swing
and action of a gaff; it may in fact be considered as a gaff with its jaws
produced before the mast, and forming fore yardarms, and these may either
again join in the same plane or they may otherwise be continued separate and
parallel, having a "cross bar or "cross.rope," (and sometimes more than one
of these) between them. This last mentioned mode of construction I have
adopted for the larger or principal gaff-yard, which always remaining fixed at
one levél, forms the "horizontal central line;" above and below this the sails of
each mast are distributed nearly equally, and by this gaff-yard the whole of their
positions are regulated. The centre of its swing is the axis of the topmast,
and the level of the "line" is immediately above the head of the lower mast:
The improved system of reefing and furling the sails applicable to my peculiar

page_text: system of rig, consists in taking in the sails in diagonal folds towards the mast
by means of horizontal lines or battens, the spars closing simultaneously and
perpendicularly upon these diagonal folds. According to my improved system
of masting, I employ only one single axis for the swing of the spars, by which
arrangement the perpendicular and horizontal lines are secured square or at
right angles with each other. I propose to make the topmast the axis for the
spars, which mast being placed abaft the lower mast, the axis being continued
by a trysail mast to the deck; when there is no topmast, the lower mast with
its pole becomes the axis. In order to secure the topmast axis firmly in its
central position, I propose to employ a ring of small wedges, each wedge
exactly fitt ng corresponding plane surfaces of the head cap and mast. I
may here observe that there are three caps, namely, head cap, trestle cap, and
futtock сар, suitable means being employed at the futtock cap for securing the
heel of the topmast. When it is required to extend the masting from below
as in the case of the mainmast of a three masted vessel, an explanation of the
arrangement may be given by supposing that these two pieces already men-
tioned are hoisted upon a third or deck mast, a similar arrangement of caps to
that described being used for connecting this deck piece with the "middle
piece." A ring working loosely round the pole of the topmast and resting
upon a shoulder at the lower portion of this pole serves for the attachment of
all the lifts, lines, and halyards connected with the topmast; this ring is
suspended by means of slings from a swivel at the head of the pole of the top-
mast, such swivel being herein-after described with reference to the top riggers.
I will now describe the standing rigging, or the means which I adopt for
securing this masting, so that no impediment be offered to the swing of
the yards. This I accomplish by placing the gaff-yard above and outside
the lower shrouds, and inside the topmast shrouds, which latter are rigged on
to swing cross-treės. The swing cross-trees, usually three in number, on each
side, are each attached by staples to the head cap, from which cap also descends
the lower shrouds (and not from the place of trestle trees); each one of these
swing cross-trees has its own particular axis of movement which is true for
all its attachments, so that to: whatever position it is pushed by the swing of the
yards its lines never "slack." :
A suitable arrangement of hoops is provided connected to the cross trees in
such a manner that they shall 'spring back or resume their normal positions on
the return of the yard.
In place of using a fixed top-gallant-mast with its gear, I propose extending
the masting aloft when the top riggers are not employed, by means of what I
call a gunter mast. This mast consists of a light spar tapering at both ends

page_text: and secured at its middle (when raised) by the gunter cap, which is placed
just under the swivel before referred to, and secured at its lower end to strutt
forks.. :
It can be lowered below the head of the topmast pole when required. The
strutt fork is attached to and forms part of the principal gaff-yard, by which
the latter is secured square, independent of its topmast, lifts the heel of the
strut fork, being fixed below the trestle cap by a ring, so as that the whole
swings evenly in the axis of the topmast.
The appendages of the gaff-yards consist of cross bars, brace bars, and crab
tree, with the top gaff-yard barrel-strutt," (by which the top yard is always
secured square with the mast and parallel with the lower gaff-yard), and swing-
batten, also the lacing battens which are common to both yards (such battens
consisting of small round elastic rods of uniform thickness throughout, for the
purpose of intermediately bending the sails to the spars), and lastly, the "tween
battens," which are stouter than the former, and are tapered slightly towards
their ends; the tween batten are employed for "portioning" the sails
centrally and in a horizontal direction whether for." divided" or "undivided "
'sails. For "divided" sails the tween batten is also divided, the abaft part
acting as a sort of a gaff, and is provided with jaws, whilst the fore part acts as
a swing batten, and is provided with a small hoop or eye that plays in a
bar that joins the aft jaws; the divided ends of both are attached to the top
.mast..
For undivided" sails the tween battens cross the mast and act as yards.
A swivel or vibrating jib boom is also employed, pivotted at its centre on the
end of a short double sparred bowsprit, and swinging nearly horizontally
thereon.
The mode which I adopt in the construction of spars for the purpose of
tapering them equally at each end, and which, although especially applicable to
the spars of my improved rig, is also applicable to the spars of ordinary well
known rigs, consists in cutting out longitudinally of the larger end of the tree
thin wedges of the inner stuff, the cuts extending about half way along the
.spar; other cuts are then made at right angles to the former, but in the same
direction longitudinally and to the same distance as the first cuts. These long
thin tapered slices or wedges having been removed, the four remaining portions
or arms of the spars are now brought together, and joined and cemented to.
form one tapered end of the spar, the taper of the other or uncut end being
that of the tree. For a forked spar such as I use for gaff-yards, two arms
may be made, each arm being formed by joining and cementing together. two
.of the four arms above referred to. Any required amount of camber may be

page_text: '
given before joining the arms. The top-rigger sails are connected to a reversing
spar or mast, which is attached by a swivel ring: (herein-before referred to) to
the head of the topmast when used with other sails, but when used in lieu of
all other sails as a separate variety of rig, the reversing spar or mast is carried
by a single stump mast of half the length of the reversing span.
This spar
is capable of reversing or turning over to either side of the mast according to
the tack. Suitable lines are used for effecting the reversing of this spar,
each one of which alternately becomes the leeward stay.
For the windward stay a single line is employed, which is used on both
tacks. I shall now proceed to describe the canvas below the horizontal
centre line, the canvas above this having been already described.
In order to bring the canvas of the fore division to windward so as to shelter
the masts, duplicate sails are here provided, consisting of 3-cornered sails,
called "gunwale sails;" carried by two lateral fore tops reaching to the
gunwales.
"
In combination with these gunwale sails.I employ what I call a "kite sail,"
consisting of a three-cornered sail bent at its head to the before-mentioned
crab tree," and made to traverse at each tack to windward of the "gunwale
sail. It will thus be obvious that the combination of the kite and gunwale-
sail will form in effect a square sail with one weather leach.
Where the mast is composed of three pieces the fore stays of the middle
piece, will carry another pair of gunwale sails covered on their weather leach
by the kite sail as before described.
In this case the short gaff-yard, along which the lower corner of the kite
sail traverses, has a restricted swing, sheets being provided in consequence.
The jib sail which is bent at the foot of the swivel or vibrating jib boom
herein-before referred to, may be hoisted by a halyard, which leads to a block
traversing the cross bar (or rope) of the fore gaff-yard in a direction. the
reverse of the fore division, sails.
An endless rope is employed for effecting the requisite traverse of the block,
and the halyard descends within the small hoops attached to the weather leech
of the jib, returning under the jib to a strutt, after the manner of a martingale,
and having divided ends that reach to each fore channel.
I shall now proceed to describe the "braces," which for a one-masted vessel
may consist of vangs.
"
The peculiar feature of the "braces" of the gaff-yard rig is the brace bars.
These (attached in any convenient position to the yards) are at right angles to
the yards for the purpose of commanding their swing and overcoming their
dead points," so that when the yards (which, as I have before observed, run

page_text: fore-and-aft) cease to serve, the brace bars are in the 'position the most
available.
As the braces are all duplicate, I shall merely describe those on one side of
the ship. I take three ropes and join them together at one end, leaving the
other end of each rope free. One of these free ends is passed through a
sheave at the extremity of the gaff-yard, and thence on to one of two sheaves
in a block fixed close to the mast;. a second free end leads through a sheave
at the extremity of the brace bar, and thence to the second sheave in the
block above referred to; .the third free end leads (in the case of the fore and
mizen yards) to the extremity of the cross. tree of the mainmast properly
secured, and through the sheave of a block. thereon, or (in the case of the
main gaff-yard) to a sheave at the mizen gunter cap.
The whole of the free ends severally come down to cleats or stops' below, so
that complete command of the "slack "of the ends and of the swing of the
gaff-yards in any position and to any extent is obtained. The free end first
referred to leading through the sheave at the extremity of the gaff yardarm
must always have its sheave leading thence down to the deck cleats, but either
one of the other two may be fixed at the several points in place of passing
through sheaves.
In the case, however, of the three end braces of the main gaff-yard, I
prefer that all the three ends should lead through sheaves, as it makes the
"slack" when required more ready and certain.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, filed
by the said William James Gifford in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 13th May 1858.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, WILLIAM
JAMES GIFFORD, of No. 23, New Millman Street, in the County of Middlesex,
Esquire, send greeting..
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her. Letters
Patent, bearing date the Thirteenth day of November, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven, in the twenty-first year of Her
reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said
William James Gifford, Her special license that I, the said William James
Gifford, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the
said William James Gifford, executors, administrators, or assigns, should
at any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times

page_text: 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 " IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE MAKING, REEFING AND WORKING OF SAILS, AND IN THE CONSTRUCTION AND
ARRANGEMENT OF MASTS, SPARS, AND RIGGING, FOR. SHIPS AND BOATS," upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said William James Gifford,
by an instrument in writing under my hand and seal, should particularly
describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same was to be 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 William James Gifford, 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 accompanying Drawings and to
the letters and figures marked thereon, that is to say:-
My said Invention relates, first, to certain improved constructions, arrange-
ments, and combinations of sails for ships and boats.
Second, to certain systems or modes of reefing and furling such sails.
Third, to an improved system or mode of masting ships and boats, and
arranging the standing rigging.
And fourth, to an improved construction and arrangement of the spars,
yards, and running rigging of ships and boats.
The advantages derived from this Invention are, the power of sailing closer
to the wind than heretofore, by having a more perfect "set" of the canvass
and more advantageous positions thereof; the obviating the impediments to
a vessel's progress when close hauled, presented by the masts and gear; the
obtainment of greater command in manoevering, especially in "staying;" and,
lastly, increased facility for reefing and furling the sails.
And in order that my said Invention may be properly understood, I shall
now proceed particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose I shall
refer to the several Figures on the Sheets of Drawings hereunto annexed, the
same letters of reference indicating corresponding parts throughout all the
corresponding Figures.
"
My improved rig consists generally of a combination of the well-known
66 square and fore-and-aft" rigs, together with other modifications and
additions hereinafter referred to; the whole forming an entirely new rig, which
I term the "gaff-yard rig," since the principal spars employed combine the
properties of the "gaff" and the "yard." The sails according to my Inven

page_text: tion are bent both at head and foot, which condition per se I do not claim as
a novelty, but only in the manner and with the combinations hereinafter
described, whenever either of the parts of the sails so designated are in a
horizontal line, which applies equally to quadrilateral and triangular sails. In
quadrilateral sails of a trapezium form, a "peaked" gaff takes the place of the
head of the sail, as is usually done. By this peculiar set of canvass, the
entire surface of each sail presents a perfectly straight line in horizontal
section, although in vertical section the sail may be allowed to belly more or
less according to the degree of vertical tension to which it may be subjected.
This horizontal straightness is found not to vary, or very slightly with the
variation of the haulage, so that a slack halyard does not impair the con-
ditions necessary for sailing close to the wind. The peculiarity in the "set"
of my canvass will be more readily understood on referring to the Diagrams A
and B on Sheet 1 of my Drawings, wherein A represents a horizontal section
of an ordinary square sale, which is considerably bellied, both horizontally and
vertically; and B is a horizontal section of the same sail with my improved
"set" of canvass, which is perfectly straight, or practically so in horizontal
section. To obtain this peculiar "set" of canvass, the three following con-
ditions must be observed:-First, the sails must be bent at head and foot, as
above stated; second, the sails must be strengthened at those parts subject to
the greatest downward strain, by a canvass of a peculiar manufacture, herein-
after described, which I term for the sake of distinction "gaff-yard canvass,"
from its special applicability to my peculiar form of rig, although it is equally
applicable to other rigs, wherein the sails may be bent at head and foot. The
sails should in some cases be further strengthened by the application thereto
of what I term "cord bands," herein-after more fully referred to; third, that
the yards shall have a uniform swing on one vertical axis, which is a straight
line in one and the same plane, and in this plane the angle made by the yards
with this axis is the same for every part of the swing, whilst the parallelism
of the yard is invariably maintained.. The gaff-yard canvass herein-before
referred to is made in two varieties, each possessing the property of increased
power to resist extension in the direction of the length of the piece compared to
that of the breadth; its properties in every other respect as a textile fabric being
similar to ordinary sail cloth. By inserting breadths of this gaff-yard canvass
into any intermediate portion of a sail liable to undue strain, such sail can be
made as secure as regards vertical strain at those parts as the leeches them-
selves with their bolt ropes; since the gaff-yard canvass has the same property
as a bolt rope of resisting extension. The gaff-yard canvass differs from the
common canvass in this, that although its weft or cross threads are; of the

page_text: same size and strength as ordinary canvass, the: warp or down threads are
made much stronger and larger than: ordinary, according to the strength
required, and are taken up or shortened as little as possible in the process of
weaving, so that they may each present as nearly as practicable a straight in
place of a wavey line. 'By this means a canvass is obtained which is
comparatively non-extensible in the direction of its warp. The difference
between the two varieties of gaff-yard canvass is, that in the one all the warp
threads are made stronger and straighter than the weft, whilst in the second
variety only each alternate warp thread is made stronger, and answers these
conditions. The "cord bands" consist of flat rows of line or cord of from
three to eight inches in breadth, the component lines or cords being slightly
fastened or woven together, and kept thereby in equal tension. Their use
is for the strengthening the sail, either diagonally or across the breadths. In
applying these cord bands, two of them are used placed opposite to each other.
one on each side of the sail, in a diagonal direction, or across the seams. The
two opposite bands. are sewn together in such a manner that every single cord
of one band shall be opposite to and lie in the space between two cords of the
opposite band, whereby they will lie more firmly and securely together..
Eigure 1 on Sheet 1 of my Drawings represents a side elevation of a ship
having its sails, masts, and rigging constructed and arranged according to my
present Invention; Figure 1 on Sheet 2 is a plan of the same, showing only
'the position of the fore and main mast; Figure 2 on the same Sheet is a
sectional plan taken along the line 1, 2, in Figure 1, Sheet 1; Figure 3 is a
similar section taken along the line 3, 4, in Figure 1, Sheet 1; and Figure 4
is a sectional plan taken just above the ship's deck.
: In order to. render the description of my system of rigging more clearly
understood, I shall.class the canvass carried by each mast into "divided" and
"undivided" sails, that is to say, into sails which are made in two parts, or
divided in the mast, and sails that are made entire or undivided at the mast.
The "divided" sails, like fore-and-aft sails, present either surface to the wind
according to the tack; they are the topsails, and all below them, as shewn
generally in Figure 1 (Sheet. 1), and ordinarily form the principal part of the
canvass, which.in sails of this class is divided and distributed in two nearly
equal parts, one afore and the other abaft the mast, the mast thus forming a
vertical central line" between the two divisions. The division abaft the
mast has precisely the same action as a common "fore-and-aft" rig, whilst
that afore the mast is brought when close hauled to windward of that abaft,
and in a plane parallel to the aft division, or nearly so, the essential 'point
being to shelter the mast from the action of the wind (every part of the lee

page_text: leech of the fore division remaining to windward of the mast, and so on each
side alterately for each tack, as will be clearly understood on referring to the
Diagram B, where a represents the fore division of the sail, b, the aft division,
and c, the mast. This is accomplished in the square sails, which are placed
above the principal gaff-yard by a transverse parallel movement of the spar to
which the foot of the fore division of the sail is bent. This spar, which is
shewn at A, Figures 1, Sheet 1 and 2, and 3, Sheet 2, I term the crab-tree,
and is carried by the gaff-yard B.
The gaff-yard is a horizontal spar balanced as a yard, but with the swing
and action of a gaff. It may, in fact, be considered a gaff with its jaws pro-.
duced before the mast, and forming fore yardarms, which may either again
join in the same plane, or they may otherwise be continued separate and
parallel, as shewn in the Drawings, having one or more cross bars or cross
ropes C. between them, along which the crabtree A moves freely in a
transverse direction at each tack, so as to keep the fore division of the sail
always to windward of the mast when close hauled.
The latter mode of construction I have adopted for the larger or principal
gaff-yard, which always remaining fixed at one level forms the "horizontal
central line," above and below which the sails of each mast are nearly equally
distributed. By this gaff-yard the whole of the positions of the sails above
and below it are regulated. The centre of its swing is in the central. line of
the top mast, and the level of the "horizontal line".of the yard is immediately
above the head of the lower mast. The swing batten D, to which the head
of the fore division of the divided sail is bent, is attached at its fore end to
the top yard E, shewn in Figure 1, Sheet 1, and. Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 2,
and is further supported by a line at its free end and latchets surrounding the
top yard, so that the after end of the swing batten with the sail is free to
adjust itself to windward of the mast in either tack; following thus the
traverse of the "crabtree." It is retained there by weather lines, passed
round sheaves F, as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, Sheet -2, of my Drawings.
These weather lines on each side of the fore division of the sail pass over
their sheaves on the gaff-yard arms, and are attached on each side of the
centre and aft end of the crabtree A, so as to ensure to the crabtree its
parallel position when traversing from side to side on the cross bars C. When
changing tack, these lines are simply let go before the helm is put .down,
upon which the wind takes the fore division of the sail across from.one side
of the gaff-yard to the other, the crabtree running along the cross.bar, so as. to
bring the fore division of the sail ready for the next tack to windward of the
mast. There are two weather lines, one on each side of the crabtree, as

page_text: or
above described, which lines unite below into one endless line, so that on
pulling either side of this endless weather line, the two supplementary lines
above connected therewith and attached to the centre and aft end of the
crabtree ou either side, will bring that spar into the position required to
'windward of the mast, and always parallel to the yard according to the tack.
Another set of weather lines, set upon the after ends of the swing battens D
and 'tween battens G, when these latter are present, so as to secure to wind-
ward the upper part of the lee leech of the fore division of the sail. Both
weather lines lead down to sheaves on the cleat rail to form endless ropes
with those on the other side, by which arrangement the weather lines never
"slack" during the swing of the sail. It will be seen in Figure 2, Sheet 1,
that the swing batten above referred to attached to the top yard is replaced
by a rope line, and here also there are no 'tween battens, showing that these
appendages are not essential. The head and foot of the sail of the aft
division of square sails may be furnished with what I term "lacing battens."
These battens consist of small round elastic rods of uniform thickness through
'out, for the purpose of intermediately binding the sails to the yards, they are
not essential however to my Invention. The 'tween battens are stouter than
the lacing battens, and taper slightly towards their ends. They are employed
for portioning the sail in a horizontal direction, whether for "divided
"undivided" sails, and render the position and equable tension of the sail
'more secure in reefing. In the case of divided sails, the 'tween batten is also
divided. The abaft part acts as a sort of gaff, and is provided with jaws which
embrace the mast, as shewn in Figure 1, Sheet 1, whilst the fore part acts as
a swing batten, and is provided with a small hoop or traveller, which runs on a
horizontal cross bar joining the jaws of the aft batten. The 'tween batten,
however, is not an essential appendage, either for the improved "set" of the
canvass or for bringing the sail to windward: The "fore division" of the sail
nay either be an entire square sail, or otherwise composed of two triangular
sails, so placed that on either tack the whole presents to the wind but one
weather leech. The former example is shewn in the case, of each division
(fore-and-aft) of the square sail just described. The latter example, (viz., that
in which the square sail is composed of two triangular sails, is shewn by the
:"fore division" of the canvas below, the "central horizontal line" formed by
the lower gaff-yard, and as seen at H and I, in Figure 1, Sheet 1, I term the
'fore portion of the sail marked H (where the triangle is reversed, the kite
And in order to
sail, and the after portion, marked I, the duplicate sail.
explain this more fully, I will, take the example as shewn in the mizen mast
.in, this. Figure, where this triangular kite sail is seen with its apex down-

page_text: wards, and forms, in combination with the triangular or duplicate sail I,
having its apex upwards, a square sail divided diagonally, which combined
sail I term the "subduple" sail. The two triangular sails are so placed
relatively to each other that there shall be but one weather leech, the
diagonal of the square being formed by the lee leech of one, namely, the
kite sail, overlapping and sheltering from the wind, when close hauled, the
weather leech of the other or duplicate sail, which will be best seen and
understood by referring to the Drawing Figure 1, Sheet 1. The kite sail is
bent at its head to the crabtree A of the gaff-yard B immediately above it,
and at the foot it is connected by a line, which passes down to a radial
horse J (Figure 4, Sheet 2,) at the foot of the mast, as seen in the mizen-
mast, so that it will traverse from side to side with the crabtree and fore
division of the square sail above it, whilst the second portion I of the "sub-
duple" sail remains stationary, being hoisted on the forestay of the mast. Its
exact fellow is on the forestay on the opposite side of the mast, both stays
extending to the gunwale. It is thus obvious, that for each tack the "sub-
duple" sail is composed of the same kite sail, but with alternately one or the
other of the two stationary duplicate sails; this "subduple" sail, therefore,
forms the fore division of the canvass. In combination with these kite sails;
the gunwale or duplicate sails are seen bent at foot to gunwale spars or
booms K, K, and are hoisted on the two lateral forestays of the lower mast,
such stays forming the weather leech of each gunwale sail. This combination
of kite sails and duplicate or gunwale sails will form in effect a square sail;
with one weather leech, as stated, the kite sail in each tack being brought.in
a line with each gunwale sail alternately, the weather leech of such sail being
thereby sheltered from the wind by the lee leach of the kite sail, whilst the
lee leech of the duplicate sail shelters the mast, (each one in its turn on either
tack.) Where the mast is composed of three pieces, the forestays of the
middle piece will also carry duplicate sails, as shown at 1', on the mainmast,
Figure 1, Sheet 1, such duplicate sails being continued from the gaff-yard
above the whole distance to the gunwales below, or nearly twice the length of
the others, and operating in conjunction with the lower deplicate gunwale
sails, to shelter the masting when close hauled similarly to those on the fore
and mizzenmast, but not bent to a spar, since the foot of these sails is not
horizontal.
The jibsail L, Figures 1, Sheet 1, and Figure 3, Sheet 2, is bent at the foot
to the vibrating jib boom M, which is pivotted at its centre N on the end of a
double sparred bowsprit or "beak" O and swinging nearly horizontally thereon;
or with the "stive" of an ordinary jib boom. This sail is of a triangular shape.

page_text: with its apex upwards, and may be hoisted by two halyards each leading
through a sheave in a block at P, traversing at each change of tack the cross
bar or rope horse C of the fore-gaff-yard, herein-before referred to, but in a direc-
tion the rêverse of the fore division sails. The two halyards, one leading on
each side of gaff-yard, join below to form an endless rope for effecting the
requisite traverse of the block P. The third jib halyard O leads through
another sheave of the same block and descends within the small loops attached
to the weather leech of the jib, returning under the jib to a strutt, after the
manner of a martingale, and having divided ends that reach to each fore
channel.
:
. I will now describe the sails of the aft division below the "central horizontal
line," which line I have already stated is for each mast the gaff-yard itself.
These sails are called spenser, spanker, or trysail, according to the position of
the mast, and are severally seen at R, S, and T, Figure 1, Sheet 1; having all
the same characters they may be all included in one description, they are
trepezium sails, having each a peaked gaff or gaff batten U for the head of
the sail.
The important feature in the arrangement of the spars (as regards the sails)
of my Invention and which distinguishes it from every other is, that the peak
end of the gaff is invariably attached to the gaff end of the gaff-yard when the
sail is set, whether reefed or not, as seen in Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 1 of
my Drawings; the effect of which is, that the plane of the canvas abaft the
mast throughout the whole extent of topsail and spanker is maintained one
and the same, a result never yet attained, an advantage that can be well
understood by seamen.
The triangular space above the gaff, that is, between it and gaff-yard marked
V, may be filled up with canvass or not; when filled up, it may be so done by
a separate sail or otherwise; the cloths of the trapezium. sail may be taken of
sufficient length to reach up close or nearly close to the gaff-yard. In this
latter case the gaff is formed of duplicate spars called gaff battens, one applied
to each opposite surface of the sail, which is a plan I prefer. This triangular
position to a certain extent takes the place, in this instance, of the halyards.
The gaff or gaff batten ends in jaws at the "nock," and in some cases is
attached by pin and staple to a bracket of the strutt fork, as at W, by means
of which the gaff is suspended when the peak halyards are let go, as in
Figure 2, Sheet 1. In other cases it remains fixed; as at X, X, its peak end
being always joined to the end of the gaff-yard. Again, in other cases it
descends to the boom below, as in the ordinary cutter rig, see yawl mizen,
Figures 2 and 3, Sheet 1. In every case the triangular portion falls down on

page_text: the gaff, and is there furled when the canvass is taken in. The "undivided" sails
like ordinary square rig sails present only one of their surfaces to the wind,
but unlike them this surface is the reverse to theirs, namely, that furthest
from the mast, so that the sails are blown towards the mast instead of away
from it, the horizontal yards or spars being so arranged as to keep the canvas
from and off the vertical spars or mast. These "undivided sails" are all
additional or supernumery sails, and like studding sails are only used when
carrying on is required; they are all hoisted aloft above the topsails. They
include royals, gunter sails, and top riggers, any one of these varieties being
used to the exclusion of the others and not at the same time; in all of them
the canvas is bent head and foot to parallel spars or yards. A royal is the
smallest and requires no additional masting; a gunter sail requires a gunter
mast, which extension of the masting is hereafter described; one is shewn at
Y, Figure 1, Sheet 1,. hoisted on the head of mainmast, and must be placed
to windward of the mast on each tack when sailing close hauled, whilst the
"top riggers" Z are constructed so as to present their proper side or surface
to the wind (without the necessity of being lowered) alternately on each change
of tack. This latter variety shown at the head of the foremast, (in Figure 1,
Sheet 1,) requires a particular description, more especially as for boats or
small vessels, it may be used alone and to take the place of all other sails. In
order to explain more fully the nature and object of this peculiar sail, suppose
a common yard A, Figures 6 and 7, Sheet 3 of my Drawings, of square rig,
fixed by a swivel B. (shewn in enlarged detail at Figure 4) to the extreme
upper end of the mast C in a vertical position, and so as to be capable of
vibrating on either side like a balance. At right angles to this spar, which
constitutes the reversing spar or mast, is fixed at its centre a horizontal yard
D, which may be supposed to be in the line of the keel; two similar but
smaller yards E, E, being fixed each one at the top and bottom of the vertical
spar A, in a direction parallel to the central horizontal spar. When this
variety of sail is used alone so as to take the place of all other sails, as in
small craft, required to sail very close to the wind, two sails and masts are
necessary, as shewn. in Figures 1, 2, and 3, Sheet 3, which masts are single
stump masts, as shown, of about half the length of the reversing spar A.
This latter spar, from the description above given, will obviously be capable of
reversing or turning over to either side of the masts, according to the tack.
Figure 2 represents the reversing spar and sail as about to be reversed to
change tack, and Figures 1 and 3 shew it as hauled to the mast. Suitable
lines F, F, are used for effecting the reversing of this sail, and for each tack
one of them alternately beco:nes the leeward stay. For the windward stay. a

page_text: single line is employed, which is used. in both. tacks. The mast abaft should
always be somewhat longer than that afore, as shewn in Figure 1, Sheet 3.
From gunwale to gunwale at each mast runs a common horse with traveller,
to which the end. of the reversing spar is hooked at each tack. Figures 5 and
6 shew respectively the position of the yards or horizontal spars when the sail
is set and furled.
The main objects I have in my improvements as regards reefing and furling
the sails are, 1st, to prevent as much as possible the necessity of going aloft
either for reefing or furling; 2nd, to reduce the canvas from above and
below towards the "central horizontal line" of the lower gaff-yard, whereby
the reduced sails are brought as near the centre of effort as may be, and also
to enable the braces to be equally available for the canvas whether reefed or
not. According to my system of reefing and furling the canvas is brought
also towards the "vertical central line or mast. This system embraces three
different modifications according as the sail is of the square, three-cornered,
or spanker variety:―
-
First, as regards the "square sail" considering the fore-and-aft "divisions"
as one combined sail. These fore-and-aft divisions are drawn together by
lines in the manner shewn in Sheet 1 of my Drawings, where the line a,
beginning with the fore division of the sail, is sewn to the sail from the
weather leech, and after extending across about two-thirds of that division in
a horizontal direction, it ends in a "buntline" which is free of the sail, as
shewn by the slack in the Drawing, but passes through small loops attached
'to the sail, and arrives at the lee leech of the fore "division," whence it leads
across the mast to the luff of the aft division and again passes through a
number of loops (one to each seam) and arrives at a small jigger block at b,
which is the inner termination of a line c attached to the aft portion of the
sail, and corresponding to that above referred to as being attached to the
fore part thereof; the bunt line thence leads up to another block at d, and
passes down to the cleat rail. In the lower portion of the sail the buntline
passes down to a similar block, whence it passes to the cleat rail as before.
The effect of hauling either of these two buntlines is to draw the two corre-
sponding divisions together at that portion of the sail where the buntline is
connected, which should always be (in the case of square sails) midway
between the top and bottom spars, or in the centre of the space contained
between the "tween battens" and the spars, as shewn in my Drawings. By
this means a great part of the sail is brought in in diagonal or radial folds
towards the mast, and it is also, by means of the loops on the sail, brought into
vertical plaits at the parts nearest the mast, as shewn by the half reefed

page_text: top-rigger Z, Figure 1, Sheet 1, and the furled square sails on the yawls
(Figures 2 and 3 on the same Sheet), which plaits merge at the parts
furthest from the loops in and among. the radial folds. Figures 2 and 3,
Sheet 1, represent respectively a yawl at anchor, with the jib and sails of the
foremast close furled, and the same yawl with her sails reefed and having the
main topsail close furled. The yards in the square sails above referred to
when furling the sails simultaneously approach upon the folds and plaits of
the canvas and press the whole close together. The lines and bunt!ines
above referred to are duplicate, that is, they are repeated on both sides of the
sails. The distinguishing feature of this system of rigging, and its adaptation
to the gaff-yard rig is the horizontal lines and action of all the agents
concerned, and the especial condition required may be considered to be the
one herein-before given for the "set" of the canvas, namely, the bending
of the square sails at head and foot.
I shall now proceed to describe the second and third modifications wherein.
this last condition is not maintained, that is, in the second modification, where
there is no foot to the sail, as in the case of the triangular or "kite" sails H,
or in the third modification where the foot' though attached or laced is
detached when reefed or furled as in the spanker or trapezium sails S; the
second modification, videlicit, that for triangular sails, is illustrated by the
several "kite sails" at Figure 1. The action in reefing or taking in these sails
is very similar to that for square sails, and what is further required is supplied
by "brails" in the ordinary manner well known to sailors. The third
modification for trapezium sails, such as spankers, is also illustrated on
Figure 1, Sheet 1, and in Figure 3 on the same Sheet, in which latter Figure
the spanker is shewn reefed and detached from the spanker boom, which is,
run on board. In order to understand my system of reefing and furling the
spanker, suppose a portion of the line e, which is laced or sewn to the sail
diagonally from the peak of the gaff-batten U to the bracket f, marked off
in the direction from the peak towards the bracket, such portion being about
equal to the length of the gaff-batten, and there make a bringle hole as at g.
This is called the "nock bringle," and affords attachment to one or two bunt-
lines; but I prefer two which lead up to the "nock" at W through a sufficient
number of loops, in the same manner as the buntlines already shewn for the
square sail. The foot of the sail is brought in first by a line seized to the
outer earing, and leading under the hoops, and the outer earing is then
secured to the new sheets or guys for the reefed sail, the sail is then detached
from all the hoops, or unlaced if lacing is used. The buntlines, which are
luplicate, are now hauld upon, and the bringle (and with it the sail) is thus

page_text: drawn up and furled close to the nock by which that portion of the line e,
from the bringle to the peak of the gaff-batten U, becomes the bolt rope to
form the new head of the reefed sail, as will be clearly understood on referring
to the Drawing of the reefed spanker sail in Figure 3, Sheet 1; the new head
of which is secured to the gaff-battons by "tyes" in the usual manner by
hand. In a straight line from the bringle (which is now securely fastened to
the jaws of the gaff-batten for a new nock) following the direction of the
inner seam of gaff-yard canvass (Figure 2, Sheet 1,) down to the foot of the
sail, at a point that nearly divides the foot of the sail into two equal portions,
are shewn the tyes that serve to form the new luff of the reefed sail, for
which purpose the requisite portion of the sail is folded in any convenient
manner, whether in radial folds or otherwise, by one or two hands on deck,
and is then brought close abaft the mast to be fastened by means of the tyes
last referred to, to the hoops, thus completing the new luff, when the reefed
or nock reefed spanker sail will present the appearance shewn in the yawl by
Figure 3. The triangular portion V of the sail above the gaff-batten may be
taken in by hand, letting go the throat halyards; and the furling of the rest
of the sail, when it is required to furl the whole, is accomplished by letting
go the peak halyards, when the gaff-batten will fall down, so as to hang
vertically as shewn at U in the foremast of Figure 2, when the intervening
canvas is furled and remains stowed between it and the mast.
I shall now proceed to describe the third head of my Invention, namely,
the improved system or mode of masting ships and boats and arrangement of
standing rigging. This portion of my Invention has reference principally and
firstly, to the obtainment of an accurate swing of all the yards, booms, &c.,
of each mast in one and the same axis, which I call the "vertical central
axis; secondly, to the balancing the yards as regards their length in opposite
directions of this axis, so that the spread of canvas fore-and-aft be equalized;
and thirdly, to the securing the masting (both lower mast and top mast) by
standing rigging, and at the same time without interfering with the swing of
the yards. Figure 8, on Sheet 3 of my Drawings is a side elevation of the
overlapping portions of lower and top mast, with the strutt fork attached in its
proper place; Figure 9 is a corresponding front view of the same; Figure 10
is a transverse section taken along the line 1, 2, in Figure 9; Figure 11 is a
similar section taken along the line 3, 4; and Figure 12 is a section along the
line 5, 6. Figure 13 is a plan of the lower cap with the strutt fork jaws
detached; and Figure 14 is a plan of the upper cap with the corresponding
strutt fork jaws also detached.
The topmast h, which carries the proper square sail, is the spar that

page_text: regulates the line of the "central vertical axis" which axial line passes (when
the yards play by jaws) through and down the centre of this mast, being
thence truly continued down to the deck by the trysail mast brackets, as
shewn by the red lines in Figure 1, Sheet 1, of my Drawings. And in this.
5 case the topmast has its overlapping part as regards the head of the lower
mast i always abaft the lower mast, and is rounded throughout its whole
length except a small portion at the heel, which is flattened to correspond
with a flat surface of the hounding to prevent it rotating, the lower mast
being hollowed by battening to correspond to the overlapping parts, as will
be seen on referring to Figures 8-11, and 12, on Sheet 3 of my Drawings.
When the topmast is placed before the mast in the ordinary system, then
"pintles and goosenecks" take the place of jaws, but I prefer the former
arrangement as the swing of the yards is more free, and also because in the
latter it would be necessary to camber the topmast, as is seen done in the
foremast of Sheet 1.
The lower or principal gaff-yard of each mast shewn in Figure 3, Sheet 2,
rests upon the upper end of the lower mast, smooth surfaces being provided
on this end, and also on the under part of the yard truss to correspond.
The above supposes the masting to be composed of two pieces, but applies
equally when the masting is composed of three overlapping pieces as in the
case of the mainmast of a three-masted vessel, when the highest piece is still
called and considered the "topmast," the two pieces below being called respec-
tively the middle piece k, and the deck piece i, since in the gaff-yard rig there is
no topgallant mast rigged as such, and the highest piece that carries standing
rigging always preserves the same characteristic of sails, swing cross-trees
(herein-after described), and standing rigging, and is the spar that regulates
the vertical central axis," as shewn in Figure 1, Sheet 1, so that a descrip-
tion of one variety will serve for all; for when there are three pieces, the two
lower present a repetition of nearly the same parts, lines, &c. as has been
shewn is the case as regards the sails which they carry, as will be seen on
referring to Figure 1, Sheet 1, of my Drawings. In describing a lower mast
with the topmast placed abaft, I shall take the case' of two pieces, videlicit, a
topmast and lower mast with the yards playing by jaws. The lower mast is
a single tree which may he rounded or not, and has neither trestle trees, fixed
crosstrees, nor hounding proper, with the exception of brackets fand battening
7, which latter (shewn at Figures 8 and 11, Sheet 3), is carried up nearly as
far as the upper cap m, for the purpose of leaving a space for the attachment
of the collars of the lower standing rigging. I prefer for this attachment
strong iron bands n, with loops as shown in Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 3, in place

page_text: of ordinary coilars, particularly when wire rope is used, such bands being
placed immediately beneath the upper cap. The strutt fork o is immediately.
In the
attached to the lower gaff-yard, and forms one piece therewith.
Drawings, Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 3, the strutt fork is represented as formed
of two cambered or bent pieces somewhat similar to a gaff-yard, but it may
It
be made of straight instead of cambered pieces properly inclined.
may also be considered as a prolongation of the lower mast, to which it
becomes a moveable head; by taking this view of it, its relations and action
may in some respects be better understood. The horns or forks of the strutt
fork serve to carry the gaff-yard lifts usually carried by the head of the
lower mast. At p, p, Figures 8, 9, 13, and 14, Sheet .3, are seen the
two jaws that play round. the tubing of the upper and lower caps m, m³,
respectively. The strut fork ends at its lower portion in either a slender stick.
or horse, so as to fulfil the function of a trysail mast as shewn in Figure 1;
Sheet 1; in both cases a bracket in the line of the vertical axis is provided,
serving as a centre for the swing of the strutt fork, as is already shewn at f,
in the mizenmast, Figure 1, Sheet 1 of my Drawings. The use of the strutt
fork in preventing the gaff-yard having any other movement than its swing is
obvious on referring to the Drawing. The caps are each formed of two hoops or
picces of tubing, one for the lower mast i, and the other for the topmast h, to
go through as shewn in the detached plan views, Figures 13 and 14, Sheet 3.
These tubes are joined together by two strong iron bands Figure 8, to which
they are welded, the space between the bands for the jaws p, p, of the
strutt fork to play in, as shewn in Figures 8, 13, and 14, Sheet 3. The tubing
of the upper cap m is also prolonged above the bands for the play of the jaws
7 of the gaff-yard truss. The lower mast tubing both of the upper and lower
is prolonged downwards to secure the attachment of the caps to the mast,
the upper one serving also to carry the staples 7, 7, of the swing cross-trees
berein-after referred to. The several jaws of the strutt fork and gaff-yard
truss encircle the hoops or tubing of the caps by means of wire rope as shewn.
in the Drawings, which keeps, them close up, whilst the bands or flanges sur-
rounding the caps keep the jaws from slipping up or down. Between the
upper and lower cap is the ordinary middle band or wedged hoop for binding
the two overlapping parts of the mast together in the manner now commonly
done. When it is desired to extend the masting from below as in the case
of the mainmast of a three-masted vessel, the two pieces above described and
illustrated in my Drawings, may be supposed to be hoisted upon a third or
deck mast, the lower mast or deck mast above described being then the middle
piece as shewn at k, Figure 1, Sheet 1, and a similar arrangement of caps to
cap

page_text: mast.
that above described is used for connecting the deck piece with the middle
piece. In all cases I use wedges in the caps as shewn in Figures 8 and 10;
for driving up the two pieces immoveably together. The contact surfaces are
made flush throughout their whole extent, except at the part where arise the
collars or loops of the lower standing rigging herein-before referred to. A
ring or rotating truck s, Figures 15, 16, and 17, Sheet 3, working loosely
round the pole of the topmast, and resting upon a supporting shoulder, serves
for the attachment of all the lifts, lines, and halyards connected with the top
This ring or rotating truck is suspended by means of a sling from
the swivel t, at the head of the pole of the topmast. This swivel and its use
has been herein-before described in reference to Figure 4, Sheet 3, under the
head of top riggers. The object of the ring or rotating trucks is to render
the swing of the yards and cross-trees below perfectly free. In place of using
a fixed topgallant mast with its gear, I propose extending the masting aloft,
when the top riggers are not employed, by means of what I call a gunter mast
u, shewn at Figures 1 and 2, Sheet 1, and Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 3, of my
Drawings, consisting of a light spar tapering at both ends, and secured at its
middle (when raised) by the gunter cap v, which is placed just under the
swivel t herein before referred to, and is secured at its lower end by lines
leading to the two horns of the strutt fork; this mast can be lowered. below
the head of the topmast pole when required. In Figure 1, Sheet 1, this
gunter mast is shewn elevated on the main topmast, and carrying the gunter
sail. On the fore and mizen masts it is represented as housed or brought
down below the topmast pole, it is also housed in the yawl, Figure 2. Its
position when housed will be best seen on referring to the enlarged details,
Figures 8 and 9, Sheet 3 of my Drawings. I shall now.proceed to describe
the standing rigging.
Figures 18 and 19, Sheet 3 of my Drawings, represent Diagrams of the
lower mast and its shrouds, cut transversely a little below the upper cap.
The circle occupied by the shrouds round the masting may be supposed to
be divided by the stations composed of the shrouds of the lower mast at
1, 2, 3, into three spaces, which allow of the swing of the topmast shrouds,
these spaces being of more or less extent according as the stations formed by:
the lower mast shrouds occupy less or more of the circle. In the. Diagrams,.
Figures 18 and 19, two extremes are given. The first station consists of the
four forestays more or less drawn together by a harpen; the second station con-
sists of four lateral and backstays in one, also more or less drawn together;:
and the third station is the same as the second on the opposite side of the mast.

page_text: Figure 20 is a Diagram shewing the position of the swing cross-trees (herein-
after described), in the intervening spaces between the station of shrouds.
In order that no impediment may be offered to the free swing of the yards,
I place the gaff-yard above and outside the lower shrouds, and inside the top-
mast shrouds, which latter are rigged on the swing cross-trees. There are six
swing cross-trees, as shewn in Figures 2 and 3, Sheet 2, viz., two lateral ones
4, 4, which have very little motion, and four others 5, 5, two fore and two aft;
which require a greater extent of swing, as herein-after described. Eacli
cross-tree is attached by a separate stapler of its own to the upper cap; these
staples are seen in Figure 8, Sheet 3, cach cross-tree having by this means it's
own particular axis or centre of motion or swing, which is true or in one line
as regards all the attacliments of that particular cross-tree, so that to whatever
position it is pushed by the swing of the yards its lines never "slack." The
four cross-trces 5 having the largest swing are connected by a horizontal elastic
hoop 6, which always tends to bring them back to their original positions on
the return of the yard. Each cross-tree has two sets of futtock shrouds, one
set, 7, Figure 1, Sheet 1, leading to the hooks or eyes of the lower cap, which
are invariably fixed and taut; another set 8 below called the bracket set,
which are longer, and are attached to the bracket f on the lower mast. These
latter are so arranged as to be "slackened" when required, the same cir-
cumstances which render necessary the slacking of the lower backstay's
of a cutter's rig, also rendering necessary a similar expedient in my rig. These
lower futtock shrouds therefore lead through fair leaders at the bracket, and
thence to cleats or stops at the cleat rail; and when running free it may be
required to slack two out of the four lower shrouds, when it will be found that
the two required will always be those on the same side to leeward. The
relative portions of the four cross-trees attached to the elastic hoop with their
futtock shrouds, as regards other lines, as for example, the lower mast
shrouds (taking into account their swing and the swing of the gaff-yard) will
be found to be such as to permit the freedom of movement I am now about to
describe. Taking either side of the line of keel for nearly three points of the
gaff-yard swing (or about 33 degrees) the futtock shrouds are just reached, but
are not required to move. They are thence required to move, of course, all
the rest of the gaff-yard swing, or about 47 degrees, granting the yard 80
degrees of swing on each side. During this 47 degrees of swing the cap
futtock shrouds 7 may touch for the last few degrees, but not so as to interfere
with their function, they are therefore always fixed and taut. Two of the lower
futtock shrouds 8, namely, one fore-and-aft to leeward of the mast when

page_text: sailing free, will probably, touch the fore and backstays at from 20 to 25
degrees, that is about one-half of the 47 degrees, in which case these two lower
futtock shrouds may have to be slacked.
A bracket is provided about two-thirds down the lower mast (on which
the topmast would rest when struck), and two backstays, in the position of the
line e from the aft end of the gaff-yard, lead one on either side of the spanker
sail, and are attached to the bracket f, as illustrated by the mizen mast in
Figure 1, Sheet 1. The radial horse J afore the mast, herein-before referred
to having the lower corner of the kite sail attached thereto, serves conjointly
with the above aft bracket stays, to prevent any strain of the topmast.
I shall now proceed to describe my improved construction of spars and
yards. First, as being the most important, I will take the gaff-yard. A gaff-
yard may be considered a duplicate yard that is formed of two, placed one on
each side of the mast, since ordinarily it is constructed of two spars or trees,
the butt ends thereof united together in one gaff end abaft, and the taper ends
either united again afore as in the top yard, or otherwise kept separate and
parallel by crossbars, as in the case of the lower or principal gaff-yard. In some
cases these trees are strait, as shewn at 9, 9, on the mainmast, Figure 3,
Sheet 2. But it is obvious, that in most cases it becomes necessary to bend
or camber the trees in the manner shewn at B, B, on the fore and mizen masts
in the same Figure.
I shall now proceed to describe the means of cambering trees for this
purpose, which is applicable to those of the largest size, and also the mode of
afterwards uniting them. This will be more fully understood by reference to
Figures 4, 5, and 6, Sheet One, where it is shewn that the parts that are required
to be bent. are cut longitudinally in strips or boards 1, 2, 3, to the length or
extent, (not of the whole tree, but as shewn by the lines in the Figures. The
number of such strips or boards depend upon the size of the tree. The trees
are then steamed in the ordinary way, well known to shipwrights, and the cut
sufaces are afterwards cemented together, and the whole hooped in the usual
manner followed for "made spars." The superfluous wood of the butt ends is
cut away sufficient to obtain the right taper and size of this aft end of the yard,
and in such manner, shown at Figure 5 by the red lines, as that the grain of
the wood shall be conformable with the outer surfaces of the joined parts, and
5 not with their cut surfaces. The two trees so cambered and tapered are then
united and hooped together to form one spar, as shewn in Figure 6.
The gaff-yard may be constructed of 1, 2, or 3 trees. For the top gaff-yards
E, the fore yardarms are brought together, or nearly so, as shewn in the detail
of the central portion of the top gaff-yard, Figure 21, Sheet 3 of my Drawings,

page_text: and are held in that position by hoops or ferrules as shewn in Figures 1 and 2,
Sheet 2, which ferrules are easily removeable by reason of the gradual tapér
of the spar.
In the lower gaff-yard the forearms are kept separate and in
place by the crossbars C, that are about from th to th of the whole length
of the spar, which crossbars are likewise removeable. They are attached to
the forearms of the gaff-yard by metal straps or bands, which are secured in
any convenient manner to the ends of the crossbars, and are then slipped up
with them on to the arms of the gaff-yard, the ends of the crossbars having a
semicircular notch made in them, so as to embrace the inner half of the cir-
cumference of, the arms whilst the out half is embraced by the metal straps
above referred to. It is thus obvious that all direct fastenings tending to
injure the stability of the gaff-yard arms, such as nails or screws entering
therein, is entirely avoided, whilst facility is afforded of readily removing the
crossbars by simply slipping them back when it is requisite to lower the yard
to the deck. The truss and brace bars, shewn respectively at 10 and 11,
Figures 2 and 3, Sheet 2, also form important parts of the gaff-yard. The truss
is a crossbar larger and stronger than the others, extending from arm to arm,
at about the middle of the yard, which is by this means suspended on the head
of the lower mast. This truss is provided with jaws q at Figure 8, Sheet 3,
which encircle the tubing of the head cap in the same manner as the strutt
fork jaws lower down, and is thus connected with and swings round the topmast.
The brace bars 11 are bars firmly secured to the gaff-yard at right angles
'thereto, and serve as attachments for the braces, as will be herein-after
described, under the head of braces and running rigging. Below the lower
gaff-yard on the mainmast is a gaff-yard of a slightly modified form, composed
of straight spars 9, Figure 3, Sheet 2, as herein-before described. Their aft
extremities are joined together and their fore ends are kept apart, as shewn by
stays attached to the stationary lateral cross-trees. The central portion of the
top yards, Figure 21, Sheet 3, is fitted with what I call a "parral strutt" 12,
which is shewn in section and elevation at Figures 22 and 23.
This parral
strutt forms the connection between the yard and the mast, on which latter it
slides freely. The parral strutt is made of wooden pieces, like the staves of a
barrel, kept together by metal hoops or rings, not tightly, as in a barrel, but
the rings serve to keep the several pieces in their places. The two side pieces
are larger than the others, and are attached to the top yard by brackets 13, 18,
and as they carry the top yard lifts 14 they have the effect of securing the top
yard always square with the mast and parallel with the lower gaff-yard, and
also free to hoist or lower as an ordinary top yard, with this difference, that the
lifts always travel with the yard.

page_text: The Diagram plans, Figures 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 10, on Sheet 2 of my
Drawings, illustrate, my improved arrangement of braces in various positions
according to the swing of the yard. For a one-masted vessel these braces
consist of vangs, which may also be used if found desirable for others. The
peculiar feature of the braces of the gaff-yard rig is the brace bars 11, herein-
before referred to, attached to the yards at right angles thereto, their object
being to command the swing of the same and overcome their "dead points,"
so that when the yards which run fore-and-aft cease to serve or are on the dead
point or centre the brace bars are in the position the most available. As the
braces are all duplicate for both sides of the yards, I shall merely describe
them on one side of the ship. They consist of three ropes 1, 2, 3, and in
some instances, four (see Diagrams), which are joined together at one end in
one common knot k¹, leaving the end of each rope free. One of these ends
1 is passed through a sheave at the aft extremity of the gaff-yard and thence;
round one of two sheaves in a block close to the mast. A second free end 2
leads through a sheave at the extremity of the brace bar 11, and passes
thence to the second sheave in the block, herein-before referred to, attached
to the mast. The third free end 3 leads in the case of the mizen and fore-
yards to the extremity of the crosstree 4 of the deck piece of the mainmast
(see Diagrams 5 and 6 respectively, and in red lines in Figure 1, Sheet 1,)
which is properly secured by vangs, and passes through a sheave of a block
thereon, or in the case of the main gaff-yard to a sheave at the mizen gunter
cap v,, as shewn in Diagrams 7, 8, 9, and 10, Sheet 2, & Figure 1, Sheet 1.
A fourth line 2¹ when required leads from the knot to a sheave at the centre
of the top yard, and serves to keep the knot and braces below from being
entangled with the spars. The particular expedients and essential conditions,
of this system of braces are, 1st, that the braces and their attachments shall
always be as nearly as possible horizontal, so that their pull and action will
be horizontal, as seen in Figure 1, Sheet 1; 2nd, the use of the brace bars at
right angles to the yard; 3rd, that the lower yard with its strutt fork attach-
ments shall command by its connection therewith all the other yards; 4th,
the uniting the ropes in one common knot whilst their free ends run in
sheaves, so that the selection of one or more either for "slack" or "pull" in,
the required combinations give complete command of the yards in every.
degree of their swing.
It will be obvious from the foregoing that complete command of the yards.
and canvas can be obtained as regards their positions, so that in "coming.
round" from one tack to the other the sails are made available at every point;
of the compass, not only for staying but also for making progress through-

page_text: out the act of staying to within at least a point or 1 points of the wind,
this is, therefore, one of the useful results of my Invention.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of my said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried
into effect, I would observe, in conclusion, that I do not confine or restrict
myself to the precise details or arrangements which I have had occasion to
describe or refer to, as variations may be made therefrom without deviating
from the principles or main features of my said Invention; but what I
consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the Invention
secured to me by the herein-before recited Letters Patent, is,-
First, the general arrangement, construction, and combinations of masts,
spars, and rigging of ships and boats, as herein-before described.
Second, the peculiar construction and manufacture of canvass or sailcloth,
which I have herein-before described as gaff-yard canvass.
Third, the manufacture and construction of sails strengthened longitudinally
by the application of my gaff-yard canvass in the manner and for the purpose
herein-before described.
Fourth, the application and use of cord bands, in the manner and for the
purpose described.
Fifth, the system or mode of causing all the yards of each mast to swing
in one vertical central axis for the purpose of avoiding all irregular strain
upon the canvass.
Sixth, the mode of bending the sails at foot and head to spars in com-
bination with the improvements herein-before described, and claimed under
the second, third, fourth, and fifth claims of this Specification, by which I
obtain the improved "set" of the canvass, as herein-before described, and
illustrated by my Drawings annexed.
Seventh, the peculiar construction and arrangement of spars having the
combined property of a gaff and a yard which I term gaff-yards.
Eighth, the mode of bringing the fore division of the square sails to wind-
ward of the mast on each tack, as herein-before described.
Ninth, the mode of bringing the whole of the canvass abaft the mast into
one uniformn plane by uniting the aft end of the gaffyard to the gaff of the
trapezium sail..
Tenth, the combination which I term a "subduple sail," consisting of a
square sail formed of two triangular sails, one of these triangular sails being
replaced by its fellow on the opposite side of the vessel in each change of
tack.
:
Eleventh, the construction of undivided sails, as herein-before described, in

page_text: reference to the gunter sails and royals, consisting of square sails bent to
horizontal yards, head and foot.
Twelfth, the construction of the undivided sail called the "top rigger," being
a sail extended on horizontal yards carried by a reversing mast pivotted at its
centre on the top of a fixed mast below.
Thirteenth, the system or mode of cambering or bending, and of con-
structing cambered or bent spars from straight trees, in the manner and for
the purposes herein-before described.
Fourteenth, the modes of reefing and furling sails by bringing such sails
into radial and plaited folds, in the manner herein-before described, and
illustrated by my Drawings.
Fifteenth, the general arrangement of masting, as herein-before described
and illustrated by my Drawings, consisting principally of the "strutt fork"
playing on the caps of the mast, the swing cross-trees and their standing
rigging, each having its separate axis, and the revolving truck and swivel.
Sixteenth, the peculiar construction, arrangement, and mode of working the
braces and running rigging, as herein-before described.
In witness whereof, I, the said William James Gifford, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Thirteenth day of May, One thousand
eight hundred and forty-eight.
W. J. GIFFORD. (L.S.)