Change of Running Rigging

Due to safety concerns Shamrock's natural fibre rigging ropes are in the process of being renewed using man made ‘Polyhemp’ rope. Polyhemp looks like natural fibre and has the advantages of being stronger, impervious to water, longer lasting and doesn't rot or shrink when wet. To the crew his means that once she is rigged the running rigging blocks won't jam nor will there be the need to slacken everything off when it starts raining and subsequently take up the slack once the weather improves. Rotting sections of rope where found during the recent renewal of the main peak halyard that had only been in use for two years.

In 1981 one of Capt. J. F. Joint’s conclusions, in the report from Second Sailing trials of “Shamrock”, stated:  “Natural fibre ropes are subject to rot if left wet. This is bound to happen with Shamrock as a static exhibit”, how right he was.

Old and new peak halyard. 

Completed peak halyard and to be done mainsheet.

New Crew Member

Over the last few weeks the boat shed has had a regular visitor in the form of a Wren which seems to have made the shed his personal larder. This search for food is achieved by working down the south side windows stopping at each one checking for flies and it even checks out the crews coats for any morsels while flitting along the coat rack. Initially the bird appeared to be a bit camera shy disappearing whenever attempts were made at getting a photo but finally seemed to pose for a few shots.

Posing

Checking for flies

This week the early morning spring tide was used to float Shamrock from her dock to the slipway for a day while her dock was re profiled. She is now back in the dock waiting to be re-rigged for the coming visitor season.

Shamrock high and dry