by what is termed the yoke. The yoke, b, is made of hard wood and is strengthened by an encircling iron band; the yoke fits round the mast and is bolted to it.
The topmast is made to slide through the cap, c, an iron ring fastened to the fore end of the masthead, and also through a hole in the fore side of the yoke. When hoisted, it is kept in its place by the fid, d, a short iron bar which, passing through a hole at the heel of the topmast, rests on the yoke, and prevents the spar from coming down. Contrivances have been invented by which the topmast can be fidded and unfidded, and so can be sent up or brought down from the deck, without its being necessary to send a hand aloft, a great advantage on a small boat. The topmast should work easily, but not too loosely, through the yoke and cap, and so should the fid through the hole in the spar; for it is important that a topmast should come down quickly. In heavy weather a vessel is relieved to an extraordinary extent when this spar, whose weight aloft exerts enormous leverage, is housed on deck. To the yoke also are fitted the cross-trees (see Fig. 55, 7, and Fig. 56, e), over which the topmast shrouds are carried to give them further spread. At the head of the topmast is the truck, 8, a wooden cap through which the signal halyards are rove.
The bowsprit (Fig. 57) is made to run in and out easily. It passes between strong wooden bits a,
