Relieving tackle
Encyclopedia
Relieving tackle is one or more lines attached to a vessel's steering mechanism, to assist or substitute for the whipstaff or ship's wheel in steering the craft. This enabled the helmsman
to maintain control in heavy weather, when the rudder is under more stress and requires greater effort to handle, and also to steer the vessel if the helm were damaged or destroyed.
In vessels with whipstaffs (long vertical poles extending above deck, acting as a lever to move the tiller below deck), relieving lines were attached to the tiller
or directly to the whipstaff. When wheels were introduced, their greater mechanical advantage
lessened the need for such assistance, but relieving tackle could still be used on the tiller, located on a deck underneath the wheel. Relieving tackle was also rigged on vessels going into battle, to assist in steering in case the helm was damaged or shot away. When a storm threatened, or battle impended, the tackles would be affixed to the tiller, and hands assigned to man them. Additional tackes were available to attach directly to the rudder as surety against loss of the tiller.
The term can also refer to lines or cables attached to a vessel that has been careened
(laid over to one side for maintenance). The lines passed under the hull and were secured to the opposite side, to keep the vessel from overturning further, and to aid in righting the ship when the work was finished.
Helmsman
A helmsman is a person who steers a ship, sailboat, submarine, or other type of maritime vessel. On small vessels, particularly privately-owned noncommercial vessels, the functions of skipper and helmsman may be combined in one person. On larger vessels, there is a separate officer of the watch,...
to maintain control in heavy weather, when the rudder is under more stress and requires greater effort to handle, and also to steer the vessel if the helm were damaged or destroyed.
In vessels with whipstaffs (long vertical poles extending above deck, acting as a lever to move the tiller below deck), relieving lines were attached to the tiller
Tiller
A tiller or till is a lever attached to a rudder post or rudder stock of a boat that provides leverage for the helmsman to turn the rudder...
or directly to the whipstaff. When wheels were introduced, their greater mechanical advantage
Mechanical advantage
Mechanical advantage is a measure of the force amplification achieved by using a tool, mechanical device or machine system. Ideally, the device preserves the input power and simply trades off forces against movement to obtain a desired amplification in the output force...
lessened the need for such assistance, but relieving tackle could still be used on the tiller, located on a deck underneath the wheel. Relieving tackle was also rigged on vessels going into battle, to assist in steering in case the helm was damaged or shot away. When a storm threatened, or battle impended, the tackles would be affixed to the tiller, and hands assigned to man them. Additional tackes were available to attach directly to the rudder as surety against loss of the tiller.
The term can also refer to lines or cables attached to a vessel that has been careened
Careening
Careening a sailing vessel is the practice of beaching it at high tide. This is usually done in order to expose one side or another of the ship's hull for maintenance and repairs below the water line when the tide goes out....
(laid over to one side for maintenance). The lines passed under the hull and were secured to the opposite side, to keep the vessel from overturning further, and to aid in righting the ship when the work was finished.