MALLET

The head of this mallet is long and cylindrical, being hooped with iron to prevent it from splitting in the exercise of caulking.

Serving-mastET, a mallet used in serving the rigging, by binding the spun-yarn more firmly about it, than could possibly be done by hand; which is performed in the following manner: two or three turns ot the spun-yarn, which has been previously rolled up in a large ball, or clue, are passed about the rope and about the body of the mallet,, which for this purpose is furnished with a round channel in its surface, that conforms to the convexity of the rope intended to be served. The turns of the spun yarn being strained round the mallet so as to confine it firmly to the rope, which is extended above the deck, one man passes the ball continually about the rope, whilst the other, at the same time, winds on the spun-yarn by means of the mallet, whole handle, acting as a lever, strains every turn about the rope as firm as possible.

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