Foot-rope Unity Saved
Shaky Seamen Serious Smackdown

Modeling of frigates, clipper ships and packets will give you a true understanding of chanting a crew's efforts into a unity of purpose.

I learned this researching the rigging of the 1812 frigate, USS Essex which ha a crew of 150 brave souls.

Imagine if you will being a crewman aboard such a vessel in the mid-Atlantic beseeched by gale force winds on a dark chilly night. The order passes"Strike (lower) the Yards (cross members supporting the sails).

That meant you were to climb to your position standing on the foot rope of the topsail on the forward mast, facing into the teeth of the storm if you will.

Sailors learned quickly their balance in such a precarious position was maintained by keeping their knees kicked back so the foot-rope throws his chest against the yard in front of him.

His purpose in being there along with his fellow seamen was to roll up the sails, they had to work as a team. This triggered a strange chant, "yo! ho!  HEAVE em! Emphasis on the word 'heave' meant all hands were to give a hearty pull on the heavy, rain soaked sail.

In so doing, the kicked back on the foot-ropes at the same time to counteract the weight in front of them. In so doing, the kicked back on the foot-ropes at the same time to counteract the weight in front of them.

Without this unity of effort, the sudden swing backwards of the foot-rope would take the thin foothold out from in under a man, throwing him from the yard to the deck 50 even 100 feet below.

It really didn't matter if you were chanting in tune or not but your timing had to be perfect.

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