Running and Standing Rigging Amendment Sheet
The following information has been disclosed to assist you in providing an authentic model of HMS Victory. These amendments conform to current research undertaken to rig HMS Victory as she appeared at the Battle of Trafalgar 21st October 1805.
Standing Rigging:
Mizzen Preventer Stay: To be omitted; not introduced until circa 1815.
Mizzen Topgallant Stay: To run through a thimble strapped to the head of the Main Topmast, and made fast on the main Top.
Mizzen Royal Stay: To be omitted: not introduced until circa 1810.
Mizzen Royal Backstay: To be omitted: not introduced until circa 1810.
Running Rigging:
Braces: The current rigging plans do not conform to the precise method by which brace blocks were rigged to each yard. The practice of rigging brace blocks `dog & bitch’ fashion as often referred to was not introduced until circa 1815.
Brace blocks for all yards, (with exception to all Royal Yards, the Mizzen Topgallant yard, and Sprit Topsail yard **), are to be rigged on a brace pendant fashioned with an eye splice around the yard arm. The pendant to be in length, One Fifth, to One Sixth the length of its respective yard. Pendants to be tarred. The running part of the braces to conform to the current rigging plan.
** The Royal yards, Mizzen Topgallant Yard, and Sprit Topsail Yard to be rigged as shown in current rigging plans.
The Fore Yard (Fore Course) Brace: the running part to pass from its brace block and run aft to a block seized to the main Stay near the main Top, it then passes down to the Fore Brace Bitts fitted on the quarter deck abaft the main mast. It is not to run via a second fixed block on the stay and led to the forecastle as often conceived.
