On ships, various types of ropes and lines were utilized for different purposes. Standing Rigging refers to lines that are meant to remain still and not move, like the rigging that holds the masts in place. Meanwhile, Running Rigging is used to secure or allow the movement of items, and they are held in place by belay pins that can be adjusted to facilitate the movement of lines when necessary.

Items you will see in this exhibit (from top to bottom, and left to right) are:

Tiedown or Horn Cleat (Top Center): Mostly ones this size are seen on smaller craft for securing running lines to when they are needed to hold, or not move for the time being.

Splicing Fid & Splice (L): It’s a bit hard to see in this photo, but it is a long (in this case wooden) pointed device used for pushing rope aside or through (depending on type and size) in order to splice the line together (as seen just to the right of the fid).

Sailors knife (R): This folding knife (later centuries known as a “Jack-knife” after the 18th-century term “Jack Tar” which referred to British Merchant or Royal Navy sailors).

Knots panel (Center): This panel has some common sailing knots on it along with their respective names. Not all the knots as there are whole books on this subject, but this panel lists some of the more common ones.

Monkey’s Fist (L): This device was primarily used as a weight for throwing lines up (or over). The center of the ball is weighted to provide some assistance in sending a line on its way. This monkey’s fist is original to the Pursuit.

Thwart and Belaying Pins (R): The thwart is the rail or seats in which the belaying pins sit. The Pins themselves act as a quick release for the lines so they can move in a hurry if need be. Both belaying pins were original to the Pursuit.

Deadeye (Bottom Center): This particular deadeye came directly from the Pursuit’s Port side Main Mast Block and tackle holding the mast in place by means of standing rigging. This piece happened to rust after years of neglect and found a new purpose in helping to educate people on its function.