The skid beams supported the ship's boats and spare masts and spars.
Previous to the gangways, long spars rested on the ends of poop and
forecastle supported in the middle by wooden crutches, and boats were
supported on these spars if not on the deck under. The break of the
poop deck often had curved side extensions to line up with the
gangways, Fig. 40B.
The portable skid beams became permanent affairs attached
underneath the gangways about 1790. After this the gangways gradually
increased in width until the 1830's when they were joined together
forming a complete deck, on warships.
Relics of the gangways and skid beams continued in the
clippers and modern windjammers as in Fig. 40F. Skid beams across the
after well deck rested on iron or wooden stanchions at the bulwarks
with pillars near the centerline. A narrow planked gangway led to the
beam on which rested the lifeboats. When island deckhouses were fitted
the skid beams usually rested on them.
