I was in a tea shop today where they had a model of the sailing ship "The
Cutty Sark". I was intrigued by the way the masts were spliced. I would have
expected that if a long enough tree trunk was not available, they would have
spliced two pieces together using perhaps a scarf joint with maybe some
metal binding as reinforcement. The actual splices on the model were
overlapped by a distance approximately equal to 6 mast diameters, and
adjacent to one another with the upper section towards the front of the
ship. There was a horizontal plate at the top and bottom of the splice. Can
anyone tell me if this is the type of splice that was actually used and what
special feature about it made it the best splice to use?

[This followup was posted to rec.boats and a copy was sent to the cited
author.]

In article TfiXg.129206$R63.43581@pd7urf1no,
says...
I was in a tea shop today where they had a model of the sailing ship "The
Cutty Sark". I was intrigued by the way the masts were spliced. I would have
expected that if a long enough tree trunk was not available, they would have
spliced two pieces together using perhaps a scarf joint with maybe some
metal binding as reinforcement. The actual splices on the model were
overlapped by a distance approximately equal to 6 mast diameters, and
adjacent to one another with the upper section towards the front of the
ship. There was a horizontal plate at the top and bottom of the splice. Can
anyone tell me if this is the type of splice that was actually used and what
special feature about it made it the best splice to use?



You might be able to find some information he

http://www.cuttysark.org.uk/index.cfm

or maybe someone with that organization will be able to provide some
answers.

Good luck

--
*************************************************
Scott H. Sexton help@
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Eeyore's Birthday Party http://eeyores.sexton.com
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"Mike Harrison" wrote in message
news:TfiXg.129206$R63.43581@pd7urf1no...
I was in a tea shop today where they had a model of the sailing ship "The
Cutty Sark". I was intrigued by the way the masts were spliced. I would
have expected that if a long enough tree trunk was not available, they
would have spliced two pieces together using perhaps a scarf joint with
maybe some metal binding as reinforcement. The actual splices on the model
were overlapped by a distance approximately equal to 6 mast diameters, and
adjacent to one another with the upper section towards the front of the
ship. There was a horizontal plate at the top and bottom of the splice. Can
anyone tell me if this is the type of splice that was actually used and
what special feature about it made it the best splice to use?


It was pointed out to us on the US Constitution tour, that the masts were
not single trees as a single tree could more easily brake across completely.
Was several trees split lengthwise and fastened together with iron rings.
So you would have long overlaps also, for the same reason.

"Calif Bill" wrote in message
hlink.net...

"Mike Harrison" wrote in message
news:TfiXg.129206$R63.43581@pd7urf1no...
I was in a tea shop today where they had a model of the sailing ship "The
Cutty Sark". I was intrigued by the way the masts were spliced. I would
have expected that if a long enough tree trunk was not available, they
would have spliced two pieces together using perhaps a scarf joint with
maybe some metal binding as reinforcement. The actual splices on the
model
were overlapped by a distance approximately equal to 6 mast diameters,
and
adjacent to one another with the upper section towards the front of the
ship. There was a horizontal plate at the top and bottom of the splice.
Can
anyone tell me if this is the type of splice that was actually used and
what special feature about it made it the best splice to use?


It was pointed out to us on the US Constitution tour, that the masts were
not single trees as a single tree could more easily brake across
completely.
Was several trees split lengthwise and fastened together with iron rings.
So you would have long overlaps also, for the same reason.

You can see that on:
http://www.soic.se/engelska/inenglis...680002566.html
third picture down.
/Lars J

Mike Harrison writes:

Can anyone tell me if this is the type of splice that was actually used
and what special feature about it made it the best splice to use?

Gammon.

Mike Harrison wrote:

I was in a tea shop today where they had a model of the sailing ship "The
Cutty Sark". I was intrigued by the way the masts were spliced. I would have
expected that if a long enough tree trunk was not available, they would have
spliced two pieces together using perhaps a scarf joint with maybe some
metal binding as reinforcement. The actual splices on the model were
overlapped by a distance approximately equal to 6 mast diameters, and
adjacent to one another with the upper section towards the front of the
ship. There was a horizontal plate at the top and bottom of the splice. Can
anyone tell me if this is the type of splice that was actually used and what
special feature about it made it the best splice to use?



Yes, from what you describe, the model was probably pretty
accurate. This was a standard way of making masts taller
than trees for several hundred years.

http://www.mkheritage.co.uk/cv/docs/...rnaticpic.html

In the pic linked to above, see #20 "crosstrees." These were
the pieces used at top & bottom of the splice between upper
& lowr mast sections. One advantage of doing it this way is
that the ship could carry spare mast sections and replace
spars along the way.

Here's another interesting link
http://sailing-ships.oktett.net/square-rigging.html

Fresh Breezes- Doug King