The MAST
HOLES. On multi-masted vessels of mid'19th century, the masts usually
raked (leaned) to slightly greater angles, fore to mizzen mast. Thus
the foremast might have, say, an 88 degree angle to the deck, the main
mast 86 and the mizzen mast perhaps 83 or 84 degrees. On 18th century
vessels the foremast often had a forward rake, the main upright and the
mizzen toward aft. And schooner masts were usually parallel, Fig. 10.
Note this rake when drilling mast holes. Drill the holes slightly
oversize so that any error in plumb or rake may be corrected when
rigging by inserting small wedges between the deck and the mast.
BOWSPRIT
HOLE—a tough one due to the end-grain of the wood and the fact that the
hole usually occurs at the top edge of the bow. If necessary chisel a
slight flat where the bowsprit enters, then drill a small (3/32" if
your bowsprit is 1/4” diameter) pilot hole, thus guiding the larger
drill into the wood.
SCUPPERS—allowed the deck to drain. Usually lead-lined holes passed
thru the waterways and out the side, Fig. 9. On smaller vessels
(schooners, sloops) a strip of planking might be omitted for the same
purpose. Large ships sometimes had a hinged port toward the after end
of the deck, to pass larger quantities of water.
