How to sail a Full-Rigged-Ship - The Sørlandet Part 1

Summary

This script offers an in-depth look at the art of handling full-rigged ships, focusing on the Norwegian 'Sir Lana'. It explains the ship's sail plan, the importance of braces in maneuvering, and describes five key sailing maneuvers: weighing anchor, tacking, wearing, heaving to, and anchoring under sail. The video aims to bridge the gap in sail training knowledge, showcasing the skills required to master these majestic vessels amidst a scarcity of competent crews.

Takeaways

• 🚢 The Norwegian Full Rig 'Serlano' is one of the few remaining full-rigged ships, which are quite demanding to handle compared to barges.
• 📚 The script aims to bridge the gap in knowledge and experience for handling full-rigged ships, as there are more tall ships than competent crews to sail them.
• 📊 The ship has three masts: the foremast, the mainmast, and the mizzenmast, each carrying yards and square sails.
• 🔍 The sails on all masts are similar, with specific names for each type, such as the 'fore royal', 'main royal', and 'mizzen royal', among others.
• 📐 The ship also has fore and aft sails, including the flying jib, outer jib, inner jib, and fore topmast staysail.
• 🪢 Braces are crucial for maneuvering the ship, used to swing the yards round by hauling them on one side of the ship and slackening on the other.
• 💪 The process of setting sails involves cutting off gaskets, loosening the sails, and then setting them with specific commands for each sail type.
• ⚓️ Weighing anchor under sail involves a series of commands and actions, including bracing up, setting the sails, and using the rudder and sails to assist in turning the vessel.
• 🌬️ The ship falls off in the desired direction with the help of the wind and rudder, setting the sails to increase the effective sail area and speed.
• 🛳️ The maneuvers described include weighing anchor, tacking, wearing, heaving to, backing, and anchoring under sail, each with its specific commands and procedures.
• 📝 The film script serves as an educational resource for those interested in the art of sailing full-rigged ships and the intricacies of their operation.

Q & A

What is the Norwegian full-rigged ship Serlano?

The Norwegian full-rigged ship Serlano is one of the few ships of its kind still in operation, maintaining the full-rigged design. It is a ship that is owned and operated for its historical and operational significance, rather than being a modern cargo vessel.

Why are full-rigged ships considered demanding to handle?

Full-rigged ships are considered demanding to handle because they require a high level of skill and knowledge to maneuver and manage their complex rigging and sails. The complexity of their design makes them challenging to operate compared to simpler vessels.

What is the difference between a ship and a 'box' in terms of sailing vessels?

A 'box' in this context likely refers to a modern cargo ship, which does not carry square sails. The main difference is that full-rigged ships, like the Serlano, carry square sails on the aftmost mast, while modern cargo ships do not.

Why is there a shortage of competent crews to sail tall ships?

There is a shortage of competent crews to sail tall ships because systematic sail training for professional crews was discontinued around the same time that the international fleet of sail training vessels began to increase. This has led to a gap in the transmission of sailing knowledge, experience, and tradition.

What is the purpose of this film about the Serlano?

The purpose of this film is to help bridge the gap in sailing knowledge by focusing on the Serlano and showing how to maneuver her and handle her sails, thereby educating viewers on the art of handling full-rigged ships.

How many masts does the Serlano have and what are they called?

The Serlano has three masts. The foremost one is called the foremast, the one amidships is the mainmast, and the aft one is the mizzenmast.

What are the sails on the Serlano's masts called?

The sails on the Serlano's masts are called the four royal falter, gallant, four topsail, lower topsail, and fore-and-aft sails on the foremast. On the mainmast, they are called main royal, main topgallant, main upper topsail, main lower topsail, and main course. On the mizzenmast, there are mizzen royal, mizzen topgallant, mizzen topmast staysail, mizzen lower topsail, and the spanker.

What is the role of braces in maneuvering the Serlano?

Braces are ropes used to swing the yards around by hauling them on one side of the ship while slackening them on the other. They are of particular importance in maneuvers as they allow the ship to be trimmed as desired. The braces are attached to the yardarms and are used to control the angle of the sails relative to the wind.

How are the braces on the Serlano arranged?

The braces on the Serlano are arranged such that the four braces and main braces are arranged in the same way. The three lower sails are braced from the fife rails on starboard and port side respectively. The royal and topgallant braces are led off to the mainmast down to the deck. The mizzen braces are rigged differently, led forward to the mainmast, crossing each other and down the mast to the deck.

What are the major commands for the maneuver of weighing anchor under sail on the Serlano?

The major commands for the maneuver of weighing anchor under sail include 'brace up fore and aft', 'weigh anchor', 'hoist outer jib', 'haul out the spanker', 'brace round forward', and 'set the courses'. These commands guide the crew in setting the sails, handling the anchor, and steering the ship.

How does the process of setting sails on the Serlano begin?

The process begins with the command 'lay aloft and loose all sail'. The crew goes aloft and cuts off the gaskets, which secure the furled sails to the arms. Once the sails are loosed, the crew prepares to set the sails by letting go of the clue lines and bunt lines for the lower topsail, hoisting the upper topsail, and setting the royals and topgallants.

Outlines

00:00

🚢 Introduction to Full-Rigged Ships and Sail Training

The script introduces the Norwegian full-rigged ship 'Sir Lana', one of the few of its kind still in operation. It highlights the challenges of handling such ships compared to 'box' ships, which are more manageable. The script emphasizes the rarity of skilled crews capable of mastering these vessels, as systematic sail training has been discontinued. The film aims to bridge this knowledge gap by focusing on the 'Sir Lana', detailing its sail plan and the various maneuvers involved in sailing such a ship. It describes the ship's three masts, the types of sails on each, and the importance of braces in maneuvering the yards for optimal sail setting.

05:02

📝 Sail Setting and Maneuvering Techniques

This paragraph delves into the technical aspects of setting sails on a full-rigged ship. It explains the process of preparing the ship for maneuvering by setting the sails, starting with the lower topsails and working up to the upper topsails, gallants, and royals. The script also details the unique rigging of the mizzen braces, which are led forward to the mainmast for easier handling from the deck. It outlines five specific maneuvers: weighing anchor under sail, tacking, wearing, heaving to, and anchoring under sound. The paragraph provides a step-by-step guide on how to execute these maneuvers, including the commands given to the crew and the actions they perform, such as bracing up the yards, setting the courses, and handling the anchor.

10:03

🛳 Weighing Anchor and Setting Sail

The final paragraph focuses on the process of weighing anchor and setting sail on the 'Sir Lana'. It describes the initial steps of preparing the ship for departure, including the setting of the jib and spanker to help the ship fall off in the desired direction. The script explains the commands given to the crew and the actions taken to ensure the ship is properly maneuvered and set on course. It also discusses the importance of setting the courses to increase speed once the ship is on its way, providing a comprehensive overview of the steps involved in getting a full-rigged ship underway.

Keywords

💡Full-rigged ship

A full-rigged ship is a type of sailing vessel characterized by having three or more masts, each equipped with square sails. In the script, the 'Norwegian full-rigged serlano' is highlighted as one of the few ships of its kind still in operation. The full-rigged ship is central to the video's theme, which is to demonstrate the art of handling such vessels.

💡Sailing maneuvers

Sailing maneuvers refer to the various techniques and procedures used to control the movement of a sailing vessel. The script outlines several maneuvers such as weighing anchor, tacking, wearing, heaving to, and anchoring under sail, which are crucial for understanding the complexities of sailing a full-rigged ship.

💡Square sails

Square sails are a type of sail that is attached to a yard, which is then hoisted along the mast. They are called 'square' because of their rectangular shape. The script mentions that the full-rigged ship has 'square sails' on all three masts, which are essential for the ship's propulsion and maneuverability.

💡Masts

Masts are the vertical supports on a sailing vessel from which sails are hung to catch the wind. The script describes the ship as having 'three masts,' each with a specific name: the foremast, the mainmast, and the mizzenmast, which are fundamental to the ship's structure and function.

💡Yards

Yards are long horizontal spars that extend from the masts to spread out the square sails. The script mentions that all masts 'carry yards and square sails,' indicating the importance of these structures in the configuration of the ship's sails.

💡Braces

Braces are ropes used to control the angle of the yards in relation to the wind, allowing the sails to be trimmed for optimal performance. The script emphasizes the importance of braces in maneuvers, as they are used to 'swing the yards round' and adjust the sails' position.

💡Weighing anchor

Weighing anchor refers to the process of lifting the anchor clear of the seabed to set the vessel free to move. In the script, this is the first step in the maneuvering process, with specific commands given to prepare the ship for sailing.

💡Tacking

Tacking is a sailing maneuver where the vessel turns its bow through the wind to change direction, moving from one tack to another. The script does not explicitly mention tacking, but it is implied as part of the general sailing maneuvers that the video aims to teach.

💡Heaving to

Heaving to is a technique used to stop a sailing vessel's forward motion while keeping its head into the wind. The script lists 'heaving to' as one of the maneuvers that will be demonstrated, showing how to control the ship under different conditions.

💡Anchoring

Anchoring is the process of securing a vessel in a particular location by dropping an anchor to the seabed. The script details the process of 'anchoring under sail,' which is part of the comprehensive sailing skills being showcased.

💡Sail training

Sail training is the education and practice of individuals in the art of sailing, particularly on traditional or historical vessels. The script notes the decline in systematic sail training, which contributes to the scarcity of competent crews capable of handling full-rigged ships.

Highlights

The Norwegian full-rigged ship 'Serlano' is one of the few of its kind still in operation, showcasing the rarity and heritage of full-rigged ships.

Full-rigged ships are demanding to handle compared to box ships, which do not carry square sails on the aftmost mast.

The number of full-rigged ships is small, and there are even fewer crews capable of mastering their handling, indicating a need for specialized training.

Systematic sail training for professional crews was discontinued, leading to a scarcity of knowledge and experience in traditional sailing techniques.

The film aims to bridge the gap in sail training by focusing on the Sir Lana and demonstrating how to maneuver and handle its sails.

The Sir Lana has three masts, each with yards and square sails, including the fore, main, and mizzen masts.

Sails on the Sir Lana are similar across all masts, with specific names for each type, such as the four royal, gallant, and topsail.

The mizzenmast has unique sails like the mizzen royal, topgallant, and the project, which is rarely used due to its specific wind requirements.

Fore and aft sails include the flying jib, outer jib, inner jib, and fore topmast staysail, contributing to the ship's maneuverability.

Stay sails, particularly the main topmast stay sail and mizzen topmast stay sail, are crucial for ship maneuvers.

Braces are essential for maneuvering the ship, used to swing the yards and trim the sails as desired.

The Sir Lana's braces are arranged in a specific way, with lower sails controlled from the Fife rails and upper sails from the masts.

The mizzen braces are rigged differently, led forward to the mainmast for handling from the main deck.

The film demonstrates five different maneuvers with the full-rigged ship, including weighing anchor under sail and tacking.

Weighing anchor involves setting sails, cutting off gaskets, and preparing the crew for the maneuver.

The process of setting sails includes hoisting the upper topsail, letting go of clew lines and bunt lines, and hauling tight the sheets.

Once the anchor is clear, the ship falls off to port, assisted by the rudder and sails, setting the course for the journey ahead.

The final steps in setting the ship on course include hauling out the spanker, bracing round for 'add', and setting the courses to increase speed.

Transcripts

the norwegian full rigor serlano is one

of the few of their kind still saving

full-rigged ships or just ships as their

property called

as opposed to box are quite demanding

they can be difficult to handle and call

for large cruise

the difference between ships and box is

the box do not carry square cells on the

aft most master Dhoni a fairly large

spankin in the past a bar or often was

just a cut-down or simplified ship

the number of ships among the world's

sail training vessels is small and the

number of those who can truly master the

art of handling them is equally small

worldwide there are more tall ships

afloat than competent crews to sail them

this is because systematic sail training

for professional crews was discontinued

at much the same time that the

International fleet of sail training

vessels began to increase the basis for

conveying sailing knowledge experience

and tradition can be hard to come by

today

this film will help bridge that gap it

focuses on the sir Lana and shows how to

maneuver her and how to handle our sales

let's begin by taking a look at her sale

plan the ship has three masts all of

which carry yards and square cells the

foremost one is called the foremost the

one amidships the main must and aft you

find the mizzenmast the sails on all

three masts are quite similar forward

they're called the four royal falter

gallant four / Topsail for lower Topsail

and for costs on the main mast they are

called main royal main to gallant main

upper Topsail main lower Topsail and

main course or simply main saw on the

mizzenmast

there are the mizzen royal mizzen to

garland missing at the top saw missing

lower Topsail and finally the project

which comes in handy only if one can

expect long spells with a constant

favorable wind since this is seldom the

case the craw jerk is very often not

bent on at all furthermore though the

fore and aft sails all the weight

forward you find the flying jib outer

jib inner jib and fore topmast aesol on

the stays between the masks there are

several stay souls the most important of

these sails are the main top must a sole

between the four and the main mast and

the mizzen top must stay so between the

main and the mizzen above them is

is the spanker set between a gaffe and a

boom of the seemingly countless ropes to

be found on a ship those called the

braces are of particular importance in

maneuvers these braces are used to swing

the yards round by hauling them on one

side of the ship while slackening them

on the other we can trim the yards as

desired the braces are attached to the

yardarms the four braces and main braces

are arranged in exactly the same way the

three lower sales are braced from the

Fife rails on starboard and port side

respectively the two upper sails Royals

and two gallons are too high up to be

controlled in the same manner the four

royal and two gallon braces are led off

to the main must down which they go to

the deck in the same way the main royal

and two gallon braces lead off to the

mizzenmast and down to deck level the

mizzen braces are rigged in a different

way they are all led forward to the main

must crossing each other and down the

mast to the deck that way the mizzen

yards are handled from the main deck

around the main must

we will take a look at five different

maneuvers with the full-rigged ship

certain weighing anchor under sail

tacking wearing heaving to or backing

and anchoring under sound prior to

weighing anchor and commencing the

maneuver the sails must be set on the

command lay aloft and loose all sail the

crew goes aloft and cuts off the gaskets

the ropes that secure the furled sails

to the arms the gaskets must be coiled

to avoid them getting entangled in the

rigging

once the sails are loosed the crew comes

down and prepares to set the sails when

the command sheet home lower Topsail is

given the clue lines and bunt lines for

the lower Topsail I let go and the

Topsail sheets are hauled tight

the next sail to be set is the upper

tops the command is hoist up the top

size at the Topsail down halls and bunt

lines are cast off the brace is eased

and the crew hauls the halyard heaving

both the yard and the sail note that the

sole owner has no upper Topsail sheets

the sail being shackled to the lower

Topsail yard next the two Gallants and

Royals will be said again Clou limbs and

bunt lines are let go

sheets are hold tight and finally the

halyards are manned and the yards

hoisted until the sails are set now the

ship is ready to weigh anchor unless

there is a strong current running she

will have the wind from dead ahead

once the anchor is away the wind will

push the ship's Stern ways gradually she

will fall off in the direction desired

with the rudder and sails helping in

this case it was necessary to fall off

to port the major commands for the

entire maneuver are brace up fore and

aft weigh anchor

hoist outer jib haul out the spanker

brace round forward and set the courses

immediately before heaving anchor the

crew is assigned to the braces with the

command starboard for braces port main

and mizzen braces as the order brace up

fore and aft is given the odds on the

fore mouse - braced round to starboard

and those on the main and mizzen to port

now the order weigh anchor is given and

the anchor chain is called home once the

anchor is clear of the bottom the bow

begins to fall off to port due to the

way the yards on the four mouths to trim

since the ship is at the same time going

astern starboard rudder is given to

assist in the turning of the vessel

after sometime the ankle will be housed

and the wind will blow from an angle of

about 35 degrees or so the command hoist

out the jib is given in the sail set

this increases the effective sail area

forward and leads to the bow falling off

more quickly as soon as the wind is

blowing from an angle of about 60 to 70

degrees the sail on the main mizzenmast

filled that means that the ship is more

or less on course and a further falling

off of the bow is not desirable

instead the ship will now make headway

then the order haul out the spanker is

given and the spanker set

brace round for 'add is ordered and the

yards on the forum estar swung wrap

fairly rapidly the ship gains headway

the courses are set to increase the

speed following the command set courses

and that's it the sir Lana is on her way

to sum up to begin with the yards are

braced up on all masts to one side of

the main and mizzen and to the opposite

side on the fall then the anchor is

weighed as soon as the anchor is away

the ship will begin to fall off and go

astern when the wind comes in from about

35 degrees the jib is set to enhance the

swinging momentum once the square CIL's

and the main mizzen start to fill the

spanker is set to keep it from falling

off any further and the four yards are

braced round the ship is on a way

picking up speed and the courses may be

set