Talk:Futtock shrouds

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[edit] Utility of climbing futtocks

"It's not clear whether the preference for the futtock shrouds had a basis in practical considerations, or simply a macho display of skill and courage."

This sentence seems out of place to me. I think its unencyclopedic to muse about the motivations for particular behaviours. I don't have any sources at hand, but consider that climbing up the futtock shrouds leads directly to the next set of shrouds, which attatch to or near to the top of the futtock shrouds. Going through a lubbers hole introduces a diversion in that one has to turn around to reach the next set of shrouds and then get around to the outside before ascending. I've read that sailing warships would have topmen stationed at the tops and perhaps for getting to the tops themselves a lubbers hole made sense. On merchant ships sailors would ascend to the upper rigging directly from the deck, and being more often than not short handed (particularly in the last days of sail) speed and efficency were important. I'm going to remove the sentence. --john.james (talk) 01:53, 12 May 2008 (UTC)