' 'This archaic way of making an eye splice in a cabled stay is ... stronger than a conventional tucked splice," writes Nick Benton, shown above .
stowed. However, most historians have fai led to recognize their importance for tightening lanyards , which frequent ly had to be done under way. Since this primary function has been misunderstood , swifters are frequently omitted from reproductions altogether. Likewise, the garnet is usually only thought of as a purchase for handling boats and cargo over the main hatch . It is often shown hanging from the mainstay in models, but it is rarely found in reproductions. Yet it is the purchase respons ible for ti ghten ing the mainstay lanyard , and when properly stowed helps to bear with the mainstay. It is sometimes alleged that the bracing of the yards on these Eli zabethan sh ips is poor and prevents them from sailing to windward. Aian Villiers, for one, claimed thi s to be a problem in Mayflower II. However , in Sea Lion we found that the airfoil efficiency of the sails exceeds the latera l resistance efficie ncy of the hull and that the abi lity of the shi p to point hi g h was limited not by the sai ls but by the configuration of the hull. As Cowan had found in the building, in the rigging and sailing of Sea Lion, I found the o ld methods completely appropriate, if not superior to modern interpretation. Since the trade secrets of making hemp standing rigging have not been handed down to this generation-in fact it is illegal to even culti vate hemp in this country , and all our rope was imported-we had to undertake a great deal of historical and engineering research. We conducted elasticity tests for a year before the first piece was even made, and data were compi led , graphed and checked until we were completely confident of stretch projections. Jn the end , the rigging was cut in the loft and completely made as if it were wire rope or rod. This experience greatly deepened my respect for hemp as a material fo r standing rigging , and I now feel confident enough to rig even the largest ship with authentic he mp gear. We began rigging Sea Lion in April 1985. The weather was warn1 and dry, perfect for rigging a ship with natural fiber, although the shortage of rain that spring had lowered the level of the lake so much that the launch was in some question. In addition to rigging Sea Lion, the Rigging Gang had been charged with training the volunteer crew in the ski lls necessary for sailing her. Since virtually no one involved with the project, either crew or staff, had any previous sailing ship experience, there was a lot to cover. In addition to conducting forma l classroom sessions we got the volunteers to help with the rigging. Getting them to help in the actual process of rigging Sea Lion was literall y the best way for them to learn the ropes. On 22 May, Sea Lion was warped around in the drydock , bridled to two power boats and towed into the channel. We knew that we would have difficulty getting out without grounding, but by creating a stream of water around the ship and rocking her SEA HISTORY , WINTER 1986-87
back and forth, we finally made it. Once safely anchored in deep water, the final ballasting could be done. The remaining stone was secured below and tallied. With her courses bent on, she now sported all her lower yards and sails and was ready to start sai ling . We intentionally did not bend the topsails before the first sail. With over ten thousand feet of ri gging, I felt the crew would have enough to learn as it was. The sun was getting low as we sailed toward the main body of the lake. We ran her aground briefly, but with the help of an escorting power boat , we were soon off and proceeding to the pern1anent mooring. It had really happened: after fiftee n years abuilding, she was really sailing. Hans Holbein the Younger drew a little ship in 1532 showing eighteen people aboard. Our people were disposed about the decks in much the same way. On the beak , a minimum of two people were required to handle the spritsail , the foretacks and bowlines. The main deck has one man forward to handle the foresheet and main tack; aft at least two people were needed to handle the tricing gear fo r the main and main topsail. The quarter and half decks were always crowded , with one person in the mi zzen, one on the helm , and two at the main braces , sheets and topsail halyard. Usuall y I would command from the weather rigging or half deck. Everyone would help with the departure or return duties such as furlin g the sail s, coiling , stowing and so on. Sea Lion is usually on a mooring, with a running tripping line reeved from a gu nport on o ne quai1er to the buoy and back . A short snotter is used to keep the tripping lines close to the stem while we set the appropriate sail. Release of the snotter allows the ship to fa ll off correctly, and release of the tripping line casts her off, but with the tripping line aboard. Most of the sails were about five hours long, during which time we would tack , boxhaul or wear ship about once every fifteen minutes. There were quite a number of practices required which we do not use in our modem square riggers. The spritsail and lateen mizeen are not what most people are accustomed to , but they serve their purposes as steering sails as well as any modem equivalent. Certainly the commands are not common-" Smite the mizzen ," " Overhaul the martinets," and " Up-end the spritsail." In the evening when the sails had been furled , the lines coiled and the guns run in , Sea Lion rested, quietly tugging at her mooring buoy. There were always people watching the ship in the twi light , and the eyes of everyone in the shore-bound boat were focused on that singular object of such devoted effort . J,
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For farther information write to Sea Lion Project, RD #1 , Sea Lion Drive, Mayville NY 14757; 716 753 -2403; or Nick Benton, The Rigging Gang , J 134 Wapping Rd. , Middletown RI 02840. 23