AVERAGE
MAST & YARD ARRAY OF A LEDA-CLASS FRIGATE
Masts are the wooden spars extending vertically
from the deck. From these, fixed horizontally, are the yards, from which
the sails would be suspended. By the time of Trincomalee mast and sail
arrays were exceptionally complex, held together by a labyrinth of rigging,
and could be trimmed into a number of configurations to maximise speed.
They could also allow ships to maneuvre even when the wind was opposing
their course - the one situation where a sailing vessel was helpless was
becalming - a complete absence of wind. In such cases the crew would tow
the ship with its launches and oars!
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KEY
TO DIAGRAM
- MASTS
(orange)
A - Main Mast
B - Main Topmast
C - Main Topgallant Mast
D - Fore Mast
E - Fore Topmast
F - Fore Topgallant Mast
G - Mizzen Mast
H - Mizzen Topmast
I - Mizzen Topgallant Mast
J - Bowsprit
K - Jib Boom
L - Spear
KEY TO DIAGRAM
- YARDS (black)
1 - Main Yard
2 - Main Topsail Yard
3 - Main Topgallant Yard
4 - Main Royal Yard
5 - Fore Yard
6 - Fore Topsail Yard
7 - Fore Topgallant Yard
8 - Fore Royal Yard
9 - Mizzen Yard
10 - Mizzen Topsail Yard
11 - Mizzen Topgallant Yard
12 - Mizzen Royal Yard
13 - Gaff
14 - Driver Boom
15 - Spritsail Yard
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