Viewing page 34 of 98

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

62
their masts are placed in wooden tabernacles almost identical in construction and in size as the one I built by myself for the Ion.  The tabernacles are heavy wooden planks width same as diameter of mast.  The foot of the mast is square.  They are somewhat higher in proportion than mine above deck.  I thought that my tabernacle which is about 6' feet higher than the deck was rather high.  These seem somewhat higher.  The tabernacle carries no collar on top as mine does and the mast oscillates simply on an iron horizontal pier which rests on top of the 2 upright heavy boards which make the tabernacle.  I believe in this respect my construction is better and surer even if

[[end page]]
[[start page]]

63
a little more complicated.  [[underline]] First [[/underline]] I do not weaken my mast by possible rotting where the pin goes thru.
[[underline]] Second [[/underline]] My pin only supports the mast after the lower supporting wedge is driven out.  Nor is there a plank which closes up the tabernacle towards [[strikethrough]] the stern side [[/strikethrough]] sternwards.
[[sketch labeled:  deck, winch mast, pin, tabernacle]]
There is a winch just behind the mast (sternwards) which commands chain or wire rope which pulls or releases the foot of the mast when the latter is lowered or erected.  This enables one man to attend to this job while he stands behind the mast.  The shrouds are fastened below to the turnbuckles by means of chains and