37
6. Fore and Main Topgallant
and Royal Yards
Niagara
has a fully rigged royal, furled
topside and braced like the topgallant.
However, Melbourne Smith intended it to
be a free flying rig. Since it is set from the
deck, the yard has a halliard and down-
haul, but no braces and footropes. Either
way is acceptable.
7. Spritsail Yard
Reeve the spritsail yard's lifts through holes
in the chock rail, then secure to belaying pins.
Run braces to the foretop, then reeve through
blocks shared with the fore course braces.
8. Miscellaneous Rigging
Flags and Flag Halliards
: Flag halliards are a
single line rove through a small block on
the fore and mainmasts and at the end of
the spanker gaff. Substitute an eyebolt if
rigging the block proves difficult.
Installing flags is optional. However,
they add interest to the model. Make
flags from lightweight cotton cloth and
paint with acrylics (they're flexible). If
using paper, shape it before installing so
the flag hangs naturally.
Stay Tackles
: The fore stay and main stay
have a tackle above the hatches. Unless
depicted lifting cargo or boats, hook the
fore tackle to the starboard cleat on the
belfry and the main tackle to the base of
the main stay.
Mast and Jibboom Tackles
: Topmasts and
topgallant/royal masts have a sheave in
their heels. Masts are lowered or raised
with a tackle fitted from the cap, rove
through the sheave, and run back to the
cap. However, they are not a permanent
fitting on
Niagara
and can be omitted.
The tackle on the jibboom is an addi-
tional means of holding it in place.
Pendant Tackles
: Tackles are hooked into
the pendants at the fore and main tops to
lift heavy objects. Unless showing them
hoisting a cannon, omit the tackles. They
are not permanent fittings.
FINAL TOUCHES
When the model is rigged, recheck every
line. Be certain seizings are sound. Add
another drop of glue if they aren't. Touch
up shiny spots on standing rigging with
black paint or liquid shoe polish. Use a tan
stain or brown liquid shoe polish for run-
ning rigging. Check if any painted wood-
en parts were fouled during the rigging
process and make repairs.
CONGRATULATIONS
Niagara
is finished! Take a moment to
revel in your accomplishment. You've
persevered when the going became
rough and your effort has produced
results. You've developed skills you
never knew you had, increased your
vocabulary, and become a time traveler.
We hope you've enjoyed your voyage
and look forward to sailing with you on
your next shipmodeling project.
Fig 9-11 Furling A Course
Fig 9-12 Topsail – No Sail and Furled
Topsail sheet
Lift
Reef tackle
Sheet
Tack
Clew garnet
Bunt &
leechlines
Furled
No Sail
Furled
Partially Furled
Topsail sheet
Lift
Topgallant
Sheet
Reef tackle, Bunt & leech
lines knotted off or omitted
Tg
Sheet
Clew
line
Reef
tackle
Sheet
MAINMAST FIFE RAIL
