SS Great Britain - Sails & Rigging

April 15, 2022 • Part of: SS Great Britain Step 4

With the masts up, and the and all the rope eyelits on the deck and the masts, the sails and rigging had to be figured out. Without the example of the Gorch Fock around I would have not figured it out. Sail cloth is sourced and the layout and measurements of all the sails cut out of paper, 15 in total. Without a sowing machine, the seams of the sails were all glued in with cloth material glue.

Sails and rigging

templates of all the different sails designed and shaped and pinned to cloth

the cutting lines are transferred to the sail cloth with carbon paper

starting at the front, the first sails go up

The rope ladders were knotted individually. Research helped to uncover the design of a handy tool to keep the rope tight and allow for tying all the knots.

5 or 6 ropes are tied together and then kept apart with the nails to provide even spaces for the ladder effect.

the rope ladders are then installed from the eyelids on deck to the top.

the remainder of the sails go up

Installing the sails, rigging and tackle were a sigificant challenge. I bought and made several tools to help, including dressmaking scissors, crochet needles, sail cloth, green cotton string for the tackle and white cotton string for the ropes. The pullies was particularly difficult to manufacture due to its small size and drilling the 1 mm holes, get the rope trough it and tying to pullies to the masts presented much practice in miniature work under magnifiers. Patience and endurance were discovered in places where I did not think it existed.

Finalinally the completed ship was ready for final decoration and completion.

SS Great Britain Build Logs

Have questions or feedback about this project? I'd love to hear from you.