Bart Senior wrote:
I don't know if there is an answer to this one. I'll give
myself a lash for calling your answer incorrect.

I thought the traditional day of the week for make and
mend was Thursday (picked up in Patrick O'Brian's
books. I'm guessing this was to get the ship spruced up
for Sunday's inspection.


That does make sense.

One source listed it as: Originally, a half-day off from
normal ship's work to make and/or mend clothing.
http://www.hazegray.org/faq/slang1.htm

I did a search on "Ropeyarn Sunday" ( I did not know
that one) and one source stated it occured on Wednesdays
but more typically, it was listed as a normal workday where
crew are given time off to repair clothing or other personal
business.
http://www.quarterdeck.org/Terminolo...ology_lz.htm#R


The way I've understood it, ropeyarn was is cosmetic work on
the ship, the term coming from unlaying short ends or worn
rigging rope to make decorative fancy work like Turk's
heads. In one of the old sailing navy novels (can't remember
which one) a character is given 'Ropeyarn Sunday' to repair
& repaint the ships figurehead.

No way to tell for sure what's the right definition, but
it's interesting looking the stuff up.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King