Built in Glasgow in 1886, with steel plates on the hull over iron frames, & steel spars up to the topmasts, BALCLUTHA is owned by San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park. She’s the largest vessel I’ve worked on: 250’ on deck, her main truck 150’ aloft. Each year, we struck the wooden royal and topgallant yards & combined 50’ topgallant/royal mast, along with all associated standing & running rigging, from the fore, main, & mizzen in rotation, to inspect & maintain these massive pieces of gear. I was the Historic Ship Rigging Supervisor for eleven years, & also disassembled & rebuilt her capstans, including the original Clarke-Chapman on the foredeck. I went to Lloyd’s in London & got them to unfold & conserve her original sail plan…holding that document in my hands was amazing! My deckhand rebuilt the bilge pumps & got them functional again under my direction…keeping things in working condition is the best way to maintain them!

BALCLUTHA