Tall ships and square rigs

[Greig Carroll]

I was having a discussion with a couple of fellow sailors on square rigged sailing ships. We were going over the names of all the parts as best we could before having to look them up. Winter boredom. One part we could not find the name of was the spar that sticks straight down from the jib boom. It looked like it was used to secure the martingales. In the photo we had at the top it flew a flag. We couldn't see the flag because the photo was in silhouette. I have been able to find lists of names for all the other parts but this one. I know the collective minds can help me out.Thanks

 

[Bill]

dolphin striker?

Are you referring to the dolphin striker? This is a spreader for the jibboom stay, i.e., for the martingale.My first source was Lenfesky's "Sailor's Illustrated Dictionary". Then I also checked my copy of the Dover reprint of Lever's 1808 "Young Officer's Sheet Anchor". Page 61 has an illustration of a jibboom with dolphin striker, martingale stay, etc. I can scan the page and e-mail it to you if you like.