crosstrees
Horizontal mast supports
Crosstrees are horizontal beams near the top of a ship's mast, extending outward to spread the rigging and support the platform above.
They form a cross shape when viewed from below, providing attachment points for shrouds and a base for the lookout's perch.
The term appears mainly in nautical contexts and historical fiction: The sailor climbed to the crosstrees to scan the horizon.
Wraps that hide
- staysRemains in place
- halyardSail-hoisting tackle
- ratlinesRope ladder rungs aboard
- backstayAft mast-supporting line
forestay · tackle · cordage · lines · topping · standing · running · deadeyes
Vessel's sail support
- sparNautical support beam
- boomLoud deep sound
- sailShip's wind-catching fabric
- vesselReceptacle for contents
ship · rigging · deck · mariner · seafaring · maritime · navigation · windward
Outer spar end
- topmastShip's upper pole section
- foremastShip's frontmost vertical spar
- mainmastShip's central vertical spar
- mizzenmastShip's rearmost vertical spar
topgallant · spreader · trestle · perch · junction · support · brace · framework
shrouds
Wraps that hide
backstay · forestay · tackle · cordage · lines · topping · standing · running · deadeyes · lanyards
mast
Vessel's sail support
vessel · ship · rigging · deck · mariner · seafaring · maritime · navigation · windward · aloft
yardarm
Outer spar end
- topmastShip's upper pole section
- foremastShip's frontmost vertical spar
- mainmastShip's central vertical spar
mizzenmast · topgallant · spreader · trestle · perch · junction · support · brace · framework · structure
observation
Attentive watching or remark
vantage · sighting · scanning · spotting · watch · crow's nest · height · elevation · surveillance · reconnaissance