[TheForge] Question from another list.

[Peter Hirst]

The proportions of the yards on a British naval vessel (the wooden timber 
from which a square or lateen sail is furled) are determined by odd 
fractions of an inch to a yard of length.  As it happens the minimum 
diameter of the top gallant, mizzen topsail, and spritsail topsail yards is 
eight thirteenths of an inch to each yard of length.  Thus a yard say 27 
feet long, or nine yards, will be nine times eight/thirteenths of an inch 
or about 5 1/2 inches, at the ends.  The yards of other sails are vaiously 
measured in sevenths, nineths and other fractions of an inch, per yard of 
length.

Keziah
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "GRAF" <adveniam at att.net>
To: <mspencer at tallships.ca>; "Blacksmithing List Sponsored by ABANA" 
<theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Wednesday, October 29, 2008 5:09 PM
Subject: [TheForge] Question from another list.


> Why would a ruler be divided into thirteenths of an inch?
> The gentleman has a metal folding ruler that he got from an armory.
>
> Mike Graf
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