Esoteric question (naval, Age of Sail and prior)

[[TWB]80hd]

Not sure if anyone here is really deep into this topic (or earlier), but I've done a few searches, and most rope maintenance/care is from WW2 forward.

 

 

Does anyone here know how ropes on ocean-going vessels (Age of Sail or earlier) were treated and/or maintained against rot?  Or were they just replaced when sufficiently damaged?

 

E.g., Were they oiled or otherwise soaked in a solution to prevent damage?

[CanadaOne]

Excellent question.

 

I use ropes designed for tree rigging and climbing at work, and a far as maintenance goes, I simply wash them in a mild soap, and replace them when needed. But dealing with salt water... no idea other than replacement.

 

I love a good piece of rope.

[Inkophile]

A lot of cables and ropes (hemp ones) were simply drenched in tar or similar substances, which was a major reason for the sailors' "black/brown hands". I don't know to what extent i was done though. I can imagine it being mostly used for the standing rigging, since working running rigging that's been impregnated with tar sounds like it could potentially give poor grip.

[[TWB]80hd]

A lot of cables and ropes (hemp ones) were simply drenched in tar or similar substances, which was a major reason for the sailors' "black/brown hands". I don't know to what extent i was done though. I can imagine it being mostly used for the standing rigging, since working running rigging that's been impregnated with tar sounds like it could potentially give poor grip.

 

Ooooohhhh that's perfect! I may even use "pitch", thank you sir!

[WWGriphos]

Standing and running rigging both were treated with pine tar (pitch) when made of hemp, and most lines were made of hemp.  Standing rigging got a lot more, which is why it was darker, and made the sailors' hands dark (from running up and down the ratlines).  Only light duty lines and gun tackles were usually made of Manilla and left untreated. 

 

The scale model shipbuilding community (of which I am a member) has lots of resources for this kind of information. 

 

Here's a good source on rope: http://www.hnsa.org/resources/manuals-documents/age-of-sail/textbook-of-seamanship/rope/ 

[[TWB]80hd]

Standing and running rigging both were treated with pine tar (pitch) when made of hemp, and most lines were made of hemp.  Standing rigging got a lot more, which is why it was darker, and made the sailors' hands dark (from running up and down the ratlines).  Only light duty lines and gun tackles were usually made of Manilla and left untreated. 

 

The scale model shipbuilding community (of which I am a member) has lots of resources for this kind of information. 

 

Here's a good source on rope: http://www.hnsa.org/resources/manuals-documents/age-of-sail/textbook-of-seamanship/rope/ 

 

Many thanks, I will use this!

[DD_Arthur]

I'm not sure what they were treated with when they were manufactured but  hemp ropes used for rigging were quickly prone to drying out and becoming brittle in sunlight.   One of the Boatswain's major responsibilities was keeping the rigging water-proof.  They used a combination of rancid butter and a substance called slush which was rubbed into the ropes to keep them supple.

 

The only way to preserve meat in those days was to salt it. Salt pork and salt beef could be preserved for several years. However, as it aged it became harder and harder to the point where bored sailors could carve it into small statues or boxes.

It would even take a polish!

 

To prepare it for cooking it had to be soaked in water for a day before hand and then boiled in large vats on a wood fired stove.  Boiling this stuff left a thick, salty scum of fat on the surface of the vats.  This was known as slush and was carefully skimmed-off and divided up between the boatswain - who would apply it to the rigging - and the ship's cook who would sell it on to tallow merchants.  In the Royal Navy this was an official perk of the job and where we get the term "slush fund" from.

Edited October 31, 2017 by DD_Arthur

[Feathered_IV]

Nice one, thanks Arthur.  It never ceases to amaze me just how much of the English language is derived from Britain's maritime heritage.

[Hoots]

Great thread, but also, good use of the word "esoteric".