Crossword clues for topmast
topmast
- Part of a fore-and-after
- The mast next above a lower mast and topmost in a fore-and-aft rig
- It may be rigged
- Most apt (anag) — feature of a square-rigged ship
- For prominent one on board, tribute entertaining political leader
- Part of ship's history after 12 boards
- In elevated post, it’s late in the day to tuck into some breakfast
- Johnson in tribute offers high-level support for sailors
- High part of sailing ship
- Sail support
The Collaborative International Dictionary
Topmast \Top"mast\, n. (Naut.) The second mast, or that which is next above the lower mast, and below the topgallant mast.
Wiktionary
n. 1 (context nautical English) The highest mast in a fore-and-aft-rigged ship. 2 (context nautical English) The mast below the topgallant mast in a square-rigged ship.
WordNet
n. the mast next above a lower mast and topmost in a fore-and-aft rig
Wikipedia
The masts of traditional sailing ships were not single spars, but were constructed of separate sections or masts, each with its own rigging. The topmast is one of these.
The topmast is semi-permanently attached to the upper front of the lower mast, at the top. Its shrouds run to the edges of the top, rather than to the sides of the hull, though long shrouds leading well aft to the hull, more in the manner of backstays, are sometimes seen. In accordance with the standard square rig sail plan, the topmast carries the topsail. In the late 19th century, however, topsails became so big that merchant ships began to divide them into two separate sails for easier handling; since these were still on the topmast they were known as upper and lower topsails to preserve the consistency of the naming scheme. The majority of large square-riggers today carry separate upper and lower topsails.
The main topmast carries the upper end of the main-topmast-staysail; a mizzen-topmast may carry the equivalent. The fore-topmast will carry a staysail, but depending on where the lower end of the stay is attached it may be called a fore-topmast-staysail or an inner jib.
When steel masts were introduced, with their lengths no longer limited by the height of a tree, ships were often constructed with single spars serving as both lower mast and topmast. In every other respect, however, the "topmast" lived on, with separate shrouds to the lower mast and a top between the two. The section of mast immediately above the top was often painted white as the lower masthead used to be, with the section of the steel mast representing the topmast continuing on above in its usual colour. Topgallant masts and royal masts were similarly combined, though, being shorter, they were often one spar even in the days of wood. A common arrangement on tall ships now in use is a steel spar as lower and topmast, surmounted by a wooden mast as topgallant and royal.
Category:Sailing ship components
Usage examples of "topmast".
The Minerve now had jury topmasts and the Nereide something in the way of a main and a mizen, while caulkers and carpenters were busy about them both: the Iphigenia had already sailed.
After reaching the futtock shrouds, he swung out and over, stepping on up the topmast.
The topmast men handled the sails with perfect timing, and the bows swung through a wide.
I have brought her circling from round my shoulders to my waist and thence, with her masts all sloping inwards, to my knees, and lower still and downwards till her topmast pennants flutter against my ankles, then I, Nooz Wana, Whelmer of Ships, lift up my feet and trample her beams asunder, and there go up again to the surface of the Straits only a few broken, timbers and the memories of the sailors and of their early loves to drift for ever down the empty seas.
Hawsers bowsed as tight as can be, and God help us if we have to strike topmasts.
Spalato, rendered tedious by capricious winds varying from a furious bora, shrieking down from the north and blowing the foretopmast staysail from its boltrope to very gentle breezes right aft that often died away to a flat calm, and by the hazardous nature of the Dalmatian coast with its many islands, not to say vile reefs, Stephen spent much of his time aloft, at the topmast cross-trees.
So while he was being patient in the topmast trestletrees, Jack looked down at the crew, struggling up the ratlines and coughing, spitting, and scratching themselves just like the audience in a theatre, waiting for the show to begin.
It lies on the trestletrees and crosstrees about five parts of the way up the foremast: and so the remaining length of lower mast runs double with the topmast, just as these two do here.
The topmasts now followed, whereupon the fore, main, and mizzenmasts were cut into suitable lengths for handling and for use as lumber ashore.
When the lower mast, the topmasts, and the royals were sawn and split, the principal pieces of the raft were ready.
They would not know that men carefully tended the smoke-rich fires, or that the topmasts, guns and sails were held safe ashore.
The topmast men were already half-way up the shrouds, and another gang was manning the capstan to weigh the anchor.
The topmast anticked high in the air for a space, then crashed down to deck, permitting the bowsprit to dip into the sea, go clear with the butt of it of the forecastle head, and drag alongside.
Fortunately, the Mardukan lookout had remained at his post at the fore topmast crosstrees, twelve meters above them.
A Marine private was now perched at the fore topmast crosstrees beside the Mardukan lookout, using her helmet systems to refine the data.