[TheForge] Re: Tackle terminology?

Mon Feb 23 00:13:01 2004

In my sea-service days, if a smooth drum was on a horizontal axis, it was
called a gypsy, if vertical it was a capstan.  The term "nigger-head"
referred to a shoreside fitting called a bollard.  Odd how terms are used,
industry to industry.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mike" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 7:23 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Re: Tackle terminology?


>
> >>I was a little surprised to see this.  Has anyone ever heard
> >>the term "nigger head" applied to a portion of a guy derrick?
> >
> > Also known as a "Gypsy". It's a small auxiliary drum usually fitted on
> > one or both ends of a winch or windlass. To use one, take one or more
> > turns with the bight of the rope around the drum and take in or pay
> > out the slack of the free end.
>
> Thirty years ago, there were still a few hard-bitten hold-outs
> hereabouts using lobster trap haulers to the capstans of which that
> term was applied.  Wooden drum, hand-whittled from spruce, ca. 8"
> diameter by 8" or 10" long, often with tire tread nailed tightly to
> it, mounted vertically on a rotating shaft near the rail.  Gaff up the
> trap buoy, take a turn or two of the line around the drum and take in
> the slack until you can grab the trap as it comes over the rail.
> Accident-prone, especially in icy weather.
>
> The term has died out, not because of any fulminating outbreak of
> racial sensitivity but because the drums have now long been replaced
> with steel, or aluminum "pie pans" that are easier and much safer to
> use.  Downside is that you can't make reliable pie pans with a saw,
> bit brace and draw knife.  Requires a trip to the machine shop or the
> commercial fishing supply place and actual cash money.
>
>
>
> - Mike
>
> -- 
> Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~.
>                                                            /V\
> [email protected]                                     /( )\
> http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^
>
> -- 
>
>
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