[TheForge] Re: Tackle terminology?

Mon Feb 23 01:04:00 2004

When I was a kid, "nigger toes" were a favorite. Now we call them "Brazil
Nuts".
I hate "PC" talk.
Darrell

http://www.machinemaster.com
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "gblacksmith" <[email protected]>
To: <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, February 22, 2004 9:11 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Re: Tackle terminology?

> 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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