Posted by Ross Cossar on August 15, 2003 at 16:15:58 from 204.92.62.148 user rlcossar.
In Reply to: Re: How were square sails furled? posted by Andrew Craig-Bennett on August 15, 2003 at 08:44:52:
While standing on the "foot ropes"(one of five types of ropes on a tall ship)with their bellys on the yard, the square sail is hauled up as Andrew stated. It still falls to the crews strength to pull and fold the sail onto the top of the yard. Running along the top sides of the yard are two steel rods a few inches apart. The tyers are short lines that are pemanently attached to the forward rod. Once the sail is flaked onto the yard the tyers come over the sail and is tied to the aft of the two rails using a slippery clove hitch. We also use the steel rods to clip our safety harnesses to.