U.S. Brig Niagara Instruction Manual - page 26
26
The jibboom begins as an octagon,
becomes round, then returns to an octa-
gon. Drill the required sheave holes. The
jibboom passes through a hole in the cap
and lashes to a saddle on the bowsprit. The
flying jibboom is mostly round with a
short octagon section at the end. Mount it
starboard of the bowsprit so the stays can
pass around the end of the jibboom. An
iron at the end of the jibboom secures the
flying jibboom, while a tenon in its heel fits
a mortise in the bowsprit cap (Figure 6-7).
Dolphin Striker
: Staple the dolphin strik-
er to the bowsprit cap. Mount the
chocks and drill holes for rigging lines.
Spritsail Yard
: Glue and pin the chocks,
then secure this round spar to a sling
under the bowsprit (Figure 6-8).
Pass the bowsprit assembly through the
bow opening and insert its tenon
between the bowsprit bitts. Carefully
check its alignment.
4. Building the Yards
Some rigging is included, because it's easi-
er to do with yards in hand. Footropes are
best added at this stage. They are shown
with spar details on Sheet 4. Jackstays are
lines rove through eyebolts. Course and
topsail yards have an octagon center, but
topgallant and royal yards are round
(Figure 6-9).
Tops of yards are straight, but the bottom,
fore, and aft sides are tapered. When sails
were added, the combined weight bent
the yard so it looked tapered on all sides.
Note: Topsail and topgallant yards have
a wooden batten or yoke and parrels
with ribs and trucks. However, a rope
parrel is more appropriate for an 1813
ship. Consequently, one is shown as an
option (Figure 6-10).
Reminder
: Paint and detail yards before
setting them aside. Once rigging com-
mences, they must be ready to mount.
5. Building the Spanker
Gaff and Boom
Like the yards, these spars have one
straight side, except it is on the bottom.
The sail bends it in the middle to pro-
duce the uniform taper.
Complete these spars in hand as much
as possible. They will be installed later.
The spanker boom and gaff have laser-
cut jaws (Figure 6-11). Drill sheave
holes, then glue and pin the chocks.
Fig 6-8 Spritsail Yard
Fig 6-9 Course Yard
Fig 6-10 Topsail and Topgallant Yard Parrel
Fig 6-11 Spanker Boom and Gaff Jaws
Chocks
Chock
Footrope
Chock
Stirrup seized to jackstay eyebolt
Octagon
Round
Jackstay
Lanyard in jackstay
Bowsprit
Sling
Replica Ship
Optional Parrel
(More authentic for 1813 ship)
Wood batten
Bead parrel
Rope parrel
Add chocks
Laser-cut
Jaws
Angle throat at gaff
Rope parrel
Bevel bottom
at boom
Flatten sides of
boom & gaff