Nautical Research Journal 131


Figure 6. Figure 4.


to 2-millimeter (scale 3-inch) singles. (Figure 3, upper leſt ) In addition, some special blocks had to be scratch-built. T e most complex was the gammon block, a tall, vertical fi tting attached on the outside of the gammoning. T e French style had several transverse holes rather than sheaves to guide the smaller sail lines from the bowsprit. (Figure 3, upper right) Other special French blocks include masthead liſt blocks called ‘Dutch blocks’ (Figure 3, lower leſt ), and yardarm liſt blocks that look like English fi ddle blocks but, again, have greased holes rather than sheaves. (Figure 3, lower right)


All blocks were stropped and then attached to the ship. T e method I have developed is just one of a number of ways to do this, it just happens to be mine. T e key is using a device called a ‘T ird Hand’ or ‘Helping Hand’. As purchased, there are two alligator clips in pivoting joints on either end of a support bar. On the leſt I added a cross grip clip mounted


on a light spring. In use, the stropping line is folded around the block and both are secured in the right- hand alligator clip. T e two legs of line are taken back to the cross clip and put under light tension with the spring. T is frees my hands and keeps the line straight. (Figure 4, upper leſt )


T in seizing thread is looped under the stropping line and an angled tweezer reaches up through the loop and takes up the doubled thread. (Figure 4, upper right) Pulling the thread through the loop makes a simple hitch. Since I am using blocks with a single sheave hole, it is important to check that the block is the right way round with the sheave hole towards the seizing. (Figure 4, lower leſt ) T e ends of the serving thread are pulled snug and wrapped around the stropping lines. I start a few millimeters from the block and wind against the lay towards the block. T is helps keep the turns of the thread tight against each other and forms a neat tapered seizing. (Figure 4, lower right) Once the seizing is fully wrapped, I secure it with a drop of glue and clip off the excess threads as close to the seizing as possible.


Figure 5.


Figure 7.


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