Station III
General Nautical Items
In this station, we will find the more common items known to vessels and the basics for sailing. While this subject covers a wide variety of items, we are only offering a basic look into a few things that won’t take you years to learn.
These are the more common things that all ships have in one form or another for the time period.
One of our most popular exhibits is the barrel display. Its origin came from a curious young man who inquired about what the barrels were used for in the past. During the 18th century, barrels were the preferred shipping containers for various liquids and dry goods. They were versatile and held everything from gunpowder to spices. Furthermore, they were often reused to suit different needs.
**MATURE CONTENT WARNING**
In the past, barrels were frequently employed as vessels to transport the deceased back to England. Rum was a popular liquid used for preservation purposes because it was inexpensive and simple to produce.
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.
**MATURE CONTENT WARNING**
In the past, certain objects made from or involving rope were utilized as means to discipline sailors who exhibited poor behavior or required correction. Examples of these tools included Monkey’s fists, Cat-of-9-tails, and belay pins.