Page 199 - Nicolaes Witsen & Shipbuilding in the Dutch Golden Age

attached to the heel of the mizz en yard, with which the yard could be hauled to either side. The mizzen sheet (82) was a tackle attached to the knee of the fl agpole on the poop.
The spritsail yard had a st anding lift (69) on both sides, consisting of a lanyard between two deadeyes, one attached to the bowsprit and the other to the yard. It also had spritsail lifts, ser ving as spritsail topsail sheets at the same time, and br aces, with which the yard could be braced when sailing close-hauled. The yard had a more or less vertical position on those occasions.
128. Blocks
(64 II 22) These blocks are made in varying shapes [see fig. 2.232], and each one according to its use. Some are round, others elongated, in some one sees 2, 3, to 4 sheaves next to one another . Others have two sheaves one above the other, making a double block that wa y. Others are running. Others are made fast. M ost of them are attached, at the top or the bottom, at both ends sometimes, and the smallest are suspended with a score, which is cut in its sides. At the top and the bot- tom, on each side, one can see grooves on the outside, inwhichtheropethatholdstheblockislaid .Some are also a xed with hooks. The sheaves are made of the heaviest and strongest wood , and sometimes of copper.
. ..
(97 I9) I thinkitisofnousetodescribetherigh t places, in which the blocks are to come on the ship, because it is better shown, than described: for this the reader is advised to turn his eyes to the plate[fig. 2.231] inserted here before, on w hich this is shown: as they are placed in a true ship. Some blocks are round , oth- ers elongated, deadeyes are at, and egg-shaped.
Figure 2.232.
Plate XXVI. Blocks.
How Ships Are Built in Holland Today
2 pendant blocks with 3 sheaves.
2 ——— With 2 sheaves.
2 Double tackle blocks with 2 sheaves. These are
used to load and unload the ordnance, and are a xed above the upper deck. The main and fore sheets go through the topmast sheet blocks, hanging from the main yardarms. These deadeyes are broad 1 foot.
2 Topsail sheet blocks on the yardarm. 2 Below the yard.
4 Bowline blocks without sheaves.
2 With sheaves.
2 Small brace blocks.
4 Small clew-line blocks.
2 Small at yard blocks.
4 Small blocks to the main stay.
2 Standing blocks or knights. Standing down on the
upper deck; and are used to hoist the sail with the yard , for the mainmast as well as the foremast. But the knight at the mizzenmast, is also used to hoist and to veer out. The small standing blocks or knigh ts one can see af-
xed to the main knight, are used for striking the top- masts with the top rope, and to haul the topsail halyard in and out.
2 Main blocks.
1 Parrel with 3 rows of trucks.
3 Reeving blocks with 3 sheaves.
3 ——— With 1 sheave.
1 top rope block.
1 Deadeye for the parrel.
48 Shroud bull’s-eye fairleads. These are hanging in
the main shrouds or fore shrouds, mostly for show, ropes go through them, like clew lines, braces, brails &c.
1 Snatch block.
8 Blocks for the crowfoot lines.
(62 II 14) About the Blocks of our Ship.
At the Mainmast there are:
32 Main deadeyes. These come to each side against
the side of the ship: are attached to the channel , half in iron, half in rope, and are used to tigh ten the shrouds, and when they are slack, to lash them tigh tly, new shrouds generally slacken. Therefore they are to be hauled taut. [Witsen forgets to mention the main rams-
head here.]
181