"Splice the Mainbrace" (AD28)
Is an order given aboard naval vessels to issue the crew with a drink. Originally an order for one of the most difficult emergency repair jobs aboard a sailing ship, it became a euphemism for authorized celebratory drinking afterward, and then the name of an order to grant the crew an extra ration of rum or grog. History Braces are the lines that control the angle of the yards. On the first rate men-o-war, the mainbrace was the largest and heaviest of all the running rigging; the mainbrace on HMS Victory is 5 inches (13 cm) in diameter. Gunners commonly aimed for the ship's rigging during naval battles, with the mainbrace being the prime target. If the mainbrace was shot away, it was usually necessary to repair it during the engagement; the ship was un-manoeuvrable without it and would have to stay on the same tack. Even repairing it after the battle was a difficult job; the mainbrace ran through blocks, so it could not be repaired with a short splice or a knot. Splicing in a large run of hemp was strenuous work, and generally the ship's best Able Seamen were chosen to carry out the task under the supervision of the Bosun. On completion of the task, it was customary for the men to be rewarded with an extra ration of rum. Eventually the order "Splice the mainbrace" came to mean that the crew would receive an extra ration of rum, and was issued on special occasions: after victory in battle, the change of a monarch, a royal birth, a royal wedding or an inspection of the fleet.
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September is here, Spring has sprung, and the sailing season is upon us!
We have a number of events, both on and off the water to look forward to for the new season - let us start with a run-down for September:
Special Operating Hours: Please note that our operating hours for Monday 23rd and Tuesday 24th September will be 8am - 6pm. With a countdown of 11 days to go, we have had a handful of boats get ahead of the crowd and have already secured their spot in our annual regatta taking place from 20th - 24th September 2019 - the Raymarine Royal Natal Regatta. Our early entries are:
NOR and entry forms can be found here. Below you can find the schedule of events for the course of the regatta: A reminder that the first 12 boats to enter the regatta will receive a free electrical health courtesy of Fonz Marine, comprising of:
Entry forms can be emailed to Shaneé on [email protected] See you there! |
AuthorThe Royal Natal Yacht Club is the oldest yacht and sports Club in Africa and the oldest yacht club in the southern hemisphere. Read our Newsletter to find out more! Archives
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