Topsails

A topsail was fastened to the topsail yard by small ropes called robands, or rope-bands, attached to the upper edges of the topsail. The lower corners of the topsail were inserted into two large blocks, and then pulled through two further blocks on the inner part of the yard close by the mast. The ends of the sail were then pulled down to the deck. This allowed the topsail to be easily slackened, or extended, as required by the strength and direction of the wind.