Taffrail
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A Taffrail is the aftermost railing around the stern of a ship, often, but not always, ornately carved. A taffrail log is an object dragged from the stern of the vessel to calculate the vessel's speed through the water. During the 19th century, American sailing ships sometimes rigged a mizzen mast and sail from the taff rail in light airs.
External references
- Nautical terms
- Penobscot Bay history site on taffrail log
- Information about John Bliss and Co. taffrail log (1867)