Posted by Roger Wardale on April 01, 2014 at 11:12:09 user RogerW.
In Reply to: Re: A SWALLOW'S TALE posted by Magnus Smith on April 01, 2014 at 00:10:04:
Thank you Magnus!
Ransome says the downhaul had blocks in SA, and on this occasion I think we can rely on the description 100%. In his illustration 'Night Sailing', Clifford Webb shows a block beneath the boom for the downhaul.
Your point about the size of the sail is well-made. My view is that Susan and very small Roger did little actual sailing, and never by themselves, but were occasionally taken out by either Mum or Dad in Swallow to see how it was done.