FALMOUTH LUGGERS.
The following excellent description of the Falmouth loggers was written by Mr. Wilcocks : " The mizen-mast is shown after the manner of the Mount's Bay craft, much more taunt than is necessary for setting the ordinary wizen, so that the second foresail may be set in its place in light weather. The only different arrangement required would be a longer outrigger, and a mast hoop or traveller on it, to accommodate the set of the ordinary wizen. The bowsprit should be somewhat longer than here represented (Fig. 80) to get the jib a little further out. If the mast were stepped at the position shown by the heel of the bowsprit, the rig would be like the Falmouth boats, and it is a good plan to have such a boat fitted also in this manner. The omission of a jib in the Falmouth boats is for the convenience of dispensing with a bowsprit whilst running alongside shipping. Fig. 81 is a sketch of the Falmouth waterman's rig. It is in use for boats from 14ft. long up to substantial little craft, apparently of as much as 7 or 8 tons. From the mast being so far forward, we might imagine a boat thus rigged would pitch heavily in a head sea, and I cannot altogether divest myself of this impression; therefore, should prefer to have two places for stepping the mast, with a moderate-sized jib to balance the after canvas, when the mast is in its after position. Boats intended to carry their masts so very far forward should be built with additional free-board forward to allow for plunging if caught in troubled water. This is well attended to in the Guernsey fishing boats, which are built very high forward, and answer well. In a large boat it is a good plan to have a horse of galvanised iron
across the stern for the main sheet, with a single and double block, the double block grommeted to a thimble traversing on the horse. There will then be no sheet to tend in going about when under the wizen and lug foresail, the only thing required being possibly a touch to the double block, to get it well down to the extremity of the horse. In making the horse, the smith must not forget to weld on a collar to either end, that the traversing thimble may not slip round the turns of the horse at the sides of the boat. In small boats, up to 18ft. in length, a single sheet made fast to a belaying pin through the transom board, is the safer plan, unless the boat be a deep-bodied craft, especially built for sailing. It is often desirable to shorten sail by tricing up the tack in all kinds of sailing craft. For this a tackle must be provided to keep a strain on the lull of the sail, as the peak would otherwise immediately fall on letting go the tack. The upper block should have a pair of sister hooks, which can easily be attached to the second cringle of the sail, and by aid of a small block secured close to the slings of the yard, the tack can be triced up when required. It is an unusual thing to trice up the tack of a lugsail ; nevertheless, in but a small boat, the handiness is unquestionable, and, in fact, in a boat fitted with one large lugsail, it is often necessary to do so."