Working in the Rigging Photo

Photographer’s Note

On the brig Cuidad de Inca (later renamed the Maria Assumpta) working in the rigging. We had raced another boat the Marques round Britian. We had joinedthe leg from Edinburgh to London.

This was nearing the end of the voyage with us about to sail back up the Thames to the Greenwhich and the finish

Some of the trainees were doing some last minute on the yardarm.

On this boat we did not use safety harnesses, the watchword was always one hand for yourself and one for the work.

The photo is a scan from a slide, now 26 years old, I've clean it up a bit and brought the colour back out.

Unfortunately both ships are now gone, the Marques sunk in the Atlantic and the Inca foundered off the south coast of England.

emjleclercq has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

emjleclercq (14330) 2008-07-22 13:34

A very nice picture, Alaistair. I believe it was taken from the other mast since the ship was a brig.
But I have been a bit surprised for the lack of any safety belt. I know that they are rarely put to pressure -(people are carefull aloft), but still it gives the impression of pushing the limits... I have seen the real sailors not clipping aloft, but these young guys oomore like trainees to me. Or perhaps it is becauss I am older now and becoming more easily frightened.

All the best,

Emmanuel

nels (2455) 2008-07-24 3:29