SAILS
THE SAILS OF A SQUARE RIGGED SAILING SHIP.
THE SQUARE SAILS.
The square sails ( highlighted in blue ) were attached to the yards and were operated from the deck by using the CLEWLINES, BUNTLINES, LEECHLINES and SHEETS. The square sails were named in the same way as the YARDS, the lowest being called the COURSE SAIL and working upwards LOWER TOPSAIL, UPPER TOPSAIL, LOWER TOPGALLANT, UPPER TOPGALLANT, ROYALSAIL and SKYSAIL. They were also prefixed with which mast they were fitted onto, eg MIZZEN LOWER TOPSAIL.
THE FORE AND AFT SAILS.
The fore and aft sails are the triangular shaped sails, the HEADSAILS are situated on the bow and the STAYSAILS are located between the masts. These sails are operated using HALLIARDS, DOWNHAULS and SHEETS. there is also a fore and aft sails at the stern called SPANKER and GAFF TOPSAIL.
The antique sailor made ship in a bottle usually shows the sailing ship with no sails set, this is due to the ship being depicted either leaving or entering port when the sails would be furled and stowed. These events were the two most important parts of the journey for the sailors, leaving loved ones or returning to them. Some sailing ship models are also shown being towed into or out of port by a steam tug, this was necessary because these sailing ships had no engines so had to be towed in and out of port.