Crap'n Neal® wrote:
It broke in two at the aft bale where there was corrosion under the bale.
I was beating out St. Augustine inlet in half a gale one afternoon when
it let go while taking and hitting a big steep wave at the same time.


Half a gale? Let's see, that would be about 17 knots of wind... a
pleasant breeze for sailing most boats...

http://www.stormfax.com/beaufort.htm

BTW if you've tacked out of St Augustine inlet, then you should be able
to describe it to us.

I fixed it by inserting three galvanized iron pipes

You mean "fixed" in the same sense as being "in a fix" or perhaps
"fixing" a pet.

DSK