OUT-RIGGER

The outer ends of these beams are firmly lashed to a bolt in the ship's side beneath, by which they are enabled to support the mast, by counteracting the strain it suffers from the effort of the careening tackles; which being applied in the mast-head draws it downwards, so as to act upon the vessel with the power of a lever, whose fulcrum is in her center of gravity.

OUT-RIGGER is also a small boom, occasionally used in the tops to thrust out the breast-back-stays to windward, in order to increase their tension, and thereby give additional security to the top-mast.

This boom is usually furnished with a tackle at its inner-end, communicating with one of the top-mast-shrouds; and has a notch on the outer end to contain the back-stay, and keep it steady therein. As soon as the back-stay is drawn tight, by means of its tackle in the chains, the outrigger is applied aloft, which forces it out to windward, beyond the circle of the top, so as to increase the angle which the mast makes with the

back-stay, and accordingly enable the latter the better to support the former.

This machine is sometimes applied without any tackle; it is then thrust out to its usual distance beyond the top-rim, where it is securely fastened; after which the back-stay is placed in the notch, and extended below.

Reference Works