It should be noted that packet ships often fell prey to three masted warships, because for all their speed, the triangular shaped sails let the ship travel closer to the wind and gained that speed. That and they could put out more studding sails. Three masted frigates always invariably caught up to the packet ships.
So you can tell it’s an outer jib because it’s on the inside, between the inner jib and the flying jib, which are on the outsides. Got it.
I love this.
Also! The reason the mainsails are furled on the Constitution is because those might be sight-seers on the deck. They want to see the harbor and watch the sailors do all their work. The mainsails might get in the way! I’ve had similar experiences on big sailing ships like her. See? Purpose!
Really great info, Ian. Love these dives (and I'm bookmarking the posts as you go so I can reference them as needed). Any thoughts about getting into, say, Australonesian ships/sail types in a separate post?
Thanks Walt, I’m glad they’re helpful! I’ll see about Australonesian, but it might be a bit. All sources are going to be richer on European Age of Sail info, which was a problem I ran into a lot since my fiction is grounded on an earlier era. Maybe I can find some books though!
Fascinating.
Thanks, Keith! I think so too!
It should be noted that packet ships often fell prey to three masted warships, because for all their speed, the triangular shaped sails let the ship travel closer to the wind and gained that speed. That and they could put out more studding sails. Three masted frigates always invariably caught up to the packet ships.
So you can tell it’s an outer jib because it’s on the inside, between the inner jib and the flying jib, which are on the outsides. Got it.
I love this.
Also! The reason the mainsails are furled on the Constitution is because those might be sight-seers on the deck. They want to see the harbor and watch the sailors do all their work. The mainsails might get in the way! I’ve had similar experiences on big sailing ships like her. See? Purpose!
That’s a really good point, I had not thought of that!
Really great info, Ian. Love these dives (and I'm bookmarking the posts as you go so I can reference them as needed). Any thoughts about getting into, say, Australonesian ships/sail types in a separate post?
Thanks Walt, I’m glad they’re helpful! I’ll see about Australonesian, but it might be a bit. All sources are going to be richer on European Age of Sail info, which was a problem I ran into a lot since my fiction is grounded on an earlier era. Maybe I can find some books though!
I've run into the same thing while researching for my fiction. And no worries on timing - would just be cool to dig into it, IMO.