BOWSPRIT & JIBBOOM
WOODEN BOWSPIT & JIBBOOM
The well known term bowsprit is the word generally given to the spar that protrudes off the bow of a sailing ship.
The bowsprit's purpose is to allow the forestays to be secured further away from the ships bow so that several headsails can be used.
The early wooden built square rigged merchant sailing ships had a two part bowsprit and jibbom system. The bowsprit was the shorter and thicker part that sat below the jibbom, in order to offer support for the longer and thinner jibbom that sat above.
The image to the left shows the two part system.
IRON or STEEL JIBBOOM
When iron and steel were introduced into the construction of the square rigged merchant sailing ship, the wooden two part bowsprit and jibboom system was replaced by a stronger steel one piece spar.
This was just referred to as the jibboom.
The image to the right shows the jibbom of a large sailing overhanging a main road.
The time period that a vessel was built can be identified by which type of system of bowsprit and jibbom was used.
