When first leaving port, studding-sail gear is to be
rove, all the running rigging to be examined, that which is unfit
for use to be got down, and new rigging rove in its place: then the
standing rigging is to be overhauled, replaced, and repaired, in a
thousand different ways; and wherever any of the numberless ropes or
the yards are chafing or wearing upon it, there "chafing gear," as
it is called, must be put on. This chafing gear consists of worming,
parcelling, rounding, battens, and service of all kinds- both
rope-yarns, spun-yarn, marline and seizing-stuffs. Taking off, putting
on, and mending the chafing gear alone, upon a vessel, would find
constant employment for two or three men, during working hours, for
a whole voyage.
The next point to be considered is, that all the "small stuffs"
which are used on board a ship- such as spun-yarn, marline,
seizing-stuff, etc., etc.- are made on board. The owners of a vessel
buy up incredible quantities of "old junk," which the sailors unlay,
after drawing out the yarns, knot them together, and roll them up in
balls. These "rope-yarns" are constantly used for various purposes,
but the greater part is manufactured into spun-yarn.
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