futtock shrouds

The Oxford Companion to Ships and the Sea | 2006 | 700+ words | Copyright

futtock shrouds, or puttock shrouds, short shrouds used to counteract the load of upper shrouds and connected to them at the crosstrees at the top, and down and into the mast. Alternatively, they are sometimes taken to a stave secured to the lower shrouds. In doing so they cross the shrouds coming up to that top. The exact placing of this crossing is planned at the height of the yard to give it the maximum bracing angle. The futtock shrouds are fitted with ratlines to provide a quick route for seamen to the upper shrouds or to the top. The name puttock is thought to be derived from the resemblance of the early metal bars used for this purpose to the pothooks in common use ashore. The name futtock is thought to be derived from puttock.

Colin Mudie

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