Page 189 - Nicolaes Witsen & Shipbuilding in the Dutch Golden Age

ward did not include in his tables, presumably for lack of space, and presented in a separate list.15
Witsen usually gives rope thic knesses in c ircumfer- ence. An anc hor cable of Witsen’s pinas weighed 800 pounds, according to the t able (fig. 2.225), and was 100 fathoms (170 meters) long and about 11 centimeters thick in cross section. Usually four of these cables were carried.
127. Ropes for the Rigging
(120 II 1 9) The Ship’s main ropes, proportionate to the Ship’s length, can be obser ved in the next tables [figs. 2.226 through 2.230]. That does not mean that all sizes follow the rule, w hile it is not unknown to me that most of them are usually made at a guess and ac- cording to custom: but if made to order they will be suited and according to requirements.
When the strength of the rope is to be increased , then thin yarns are twisted between the turns of the rope, and tarred, together with the rope itself.
At many places, like the yards and elsew here, the ropes are clad with leather; against wear and tear , for which the same are also ser ved, at man y places, particularly the forward stays, because the yard rubs against them, as also the tacks. Ropes going through holes, as the ones hoisting th e yards, have to be laid smooth, so as not to jam.
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(134 II 39) The lines aboard are tied below in the Ship, as deemed t, without rule, to Mast, railing, knightheads, to cleats, inboard and outboard, to pins, nails etc.
To describe where they go, their course, would be of little use, as such could not be well examined with- out seeing, which is why the reader is referred to the plate[fig.2.231]forthispurpose,insertedhere [...]: in which all lines and ropes are shown, on their ap- propriate places, in the ship. Th e lines to the top end of the Mizzen, are split, and spread themselves widely to the same, to prevent it from swaying, and to stretch the sail more rmly and better.
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(129 I 37 ) The heavy ropes of 17 inches, are to be found 100 fathoms long. A cable of 8 inches thickness, long 100 fathoms. A cable of 6 inches thickness, long 110 fathoms. A hawser of 41⁄2 inches.
(275 II 3 3) The shrouds are made of thick ropes, or served poles splin ted athwart ships, for the sak e of strength: above the shrouds are laid around the top. As all the heavy ropes they are clad with leather above.
When hauling the shrouds taut, they need to be un- tied and served anew.
How Ships Are Built in Holland Today
(119 II 45) State of the Ropes, on my proposed Ship. There are four cables, thick 13 inches, long 100 fath- oms, and one of 12 inches, together weighing 14 560
pounds. The largest [main] stay thick 13 inches, long 24fathoms.Theforestaythick91⁄2 inches.Themain shrouds thick 6 1⁄4 inches. The fore shrouds thick 5 1⁄2 inches, weighing 7 40 pounds. The Mizzen shrouds thick 4 inches, weighing 408 pounds: 6 yzeren tro- szen [strong hawsers], weighing 1290 pounds: two wiel troszen [no English equivalent; a wiel tros is a thin line consisting of 27 strands and made with the use of a wheel instead of a ropew alk] of 122 pounds: 34 peerde lijnen [paardelijnen: cables of small dimen- sions, used for mooring, tow ing, and work ing with the anchors] of 377 pounds, 300 pounds spun yarn: 12 marlines of 25 pounds: 36 bundles of houseline and 36 bundles of marling; 2 wiel-troszen of 218 pounds.
Of the Main T opmast, the shrouds thick 4 inches: the fore topmast 3 1⁄2 inches, together weighing 690 pounds. The topmast stay, and both top ropes, thick 51⁄2 inches. 2 pairs of topsail sheets of 1062 pounds; thick 43⁄4 inches. The ties thick 4 or 4 1⁄2 inches. The cathead stopper thick 51⁄2 inches. The main course hal yard tie, thick 63⁄4, long 26 fathoms. The fore course hal yard tie 6 inches, long 24 fath oms; weighing 461 pounds. The mizzen and main topmast halyard tie, thick 4 inches: the fore 31⁄2 inches, weighing 112 pounds. 5 Di erent strong hawsers of 883 pounds. 8 Wiel- troszen long 100 fath- oms, of 775 pounds. 300 Pounds spun yarn: 18 Hawsers, of 200 pounds. 24 Bundles of housing, and 24 bundles of marline. Two pairs of sheets of 521 pounds, thick 41⁄2 or 5 inches, long 141⁄2 fathoms, of 296 pounds. Two iron straps, 312 pounds. 7 Wiel- troszen, thick 10, 12 , 15, 18, and 20 inches, weighing 512 pounds: another 20 tarred lines. And this is the rope, w hich the proposed Ship would need, to be tted out according to requirements.
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