Page 420 - Brion Toss - The Complete Rigger’s Apprentice

comfortable than it looks. Gratifyingly detailed specifications are supplemented by reference
rigging section, with some very useful suggestions tables, charts, essays on manufacture and
for things like varying mast sections for specific use, explanations of inspection procedures,
rig configurations. Great book. instructions for splicing and seizing, and a
few words about slings, lubrication, and sling
Nares, George S. Seamanship. Henley, England: tolerances. Presto! You’ve got a little technical
Gresham Press, 1979. A reprint of the 1862 manual. Most of the information refers to
edition of a book first published in 1860 as industrial applications but is easily extrapolated
an instruction manual for naval cadets. The to boat rigging.
procedures it describes are unquestionably
archaic, but its principles can inform the most Rossnagel, W. E. Handbook of Rigging: In
modern rig. Exceptional illustrations and a Construction and Industrial Operations. Third
helpful question-and-answer format. Edition. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1964. The
industrial rigger’s bible, and great-granddaddy
Norgrove, Ross. Cruising Rigs and Rigging. to the manufacturers’ handbooks. Gives safe
Camden, Maine: International Marine, 1982. The loads for everything from crane guys to nailed
wisdom distilled from years of paying attention to joists, instructions for making a life net, finding
what makes rigs live longer. Norgrove emphasizes the center of gravity of odd-shaped objects, the
good design and maintenance procedures with proper use of steel scaffolding, and just about
stories that are variously amusing and hair- anything else to know about other-than-strictly-
raising. nautical rigging.

Pardey, Lin and Larry. Capable Cruiser. New Steel, David. The Elements of Mastmaking,
York: W. W. Norton & Company, and London: Sailmaking, and Rigging. New York: Edward W.
Waterline, 1987. The Pardeys have traveled Sweetman, 1978. A reprint of the 1932 edition
farther, faster, and safer than almost any other of a book first published in 1794 under the
cruisers and they’ve done it without a lot of title The Elements and Practice of Rigging and
gear that most people consider essential (e.g., Seamanship. Helpful in the sense that Nares’s
an engine). There’s a lot of distilled information Seamanship is helpful, but more archaic.
here. My favorite chapter is “Bowsprits for
Offshore Voyaging.” Taylor, Roger C. The Elements of Seamanship.
Camden, Maine: International Marine, 1986.
Rigging Handbooks. Available from wire rope This little book is to seamanship what Strunk and
manufacturers. Every manufacturer prints a White’s Elements of Style is to writing. If you would
list of its products detailing wire materials, learn to rig, you must learn to sail.
constructions, and designed uses. These

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