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The U.S.S. Constitution

“Old Ironsides”

There were at least 60 tons of Hemp
on the U.S.S. Constitution alone.

    Partial list of rigging (rope) required for the 1927 restoration of the U.S.S. Constitution from “The Frigate Constitution” by F. Alexander Magoun, S.B., S.M. The Southwest Press. ©1928 by the Marine Research Society, Boston, Massachusetts, Pgs. 96, 97. Each mast (fore, mizen, main, etc.) required lifts, braces, reefs, jiggers, tackles, etc. The Constitution carried well more than four miles of hemp rope.

Standing Rigging, Hard Laid Hemp

Item   Circumference
Mainstay   12 inches
Forestay   12 in
Pendants   9.5 in
Fore and main shrouds   9.5 in
Mizen shrouds   7 in
Topmast backstays   9 in
Topmast stays   8 in
Topgallant backstays   5 in
Topgallant stays   4 in
Royal stays   2.5 in


Running Rigging, Soft Laid Hemp

Item Circumference   Gross Length
Truss tackles   2.5 in 260 feet
Jeer fall   4.5 in 350 ft
Pendant tackles   3.25 in 1200 ft
Lifts   3.5 in 470 ft
Braces   4 in 608 ft
Tacks   4 in 400 ft
Sheets   4.5 in 400 ft
Clew garnets   3 in 400 ft
Main Bowline   3.25 in 120 ft
Reef tackles   3.25 in 350 ft
Buntlines   2.5 in 530 ft
Leechlines   2.5 in 432 in
Clew jiggers   2 in 520 ft
Top burtons   3 in 1060 ft
Topsail tye halliards   3.25 in 1440 ft
Topsail lifts   4.25 in 360 ft
Topsail braces   3.25 in 600 ft
Best bower anchor cable   22.5 in 720 ft
Messenger   14 in 600 ft
Gun breeching (each)   7 in 24 ft
Out-haul tackles (each)   2.5 in 60 ft


the authorized on-line version of Jack Herer’s “The Emperor Wears No Clothes”
text from “The Emperor Wears No Clothes” © Jack Herer
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