Topmast

Themastsof traditional sailing ships were not single spars, but were constructed of separate sections or masts, each with its ownrigging.Thetopmastis one of these.

The topmast is semi-permanently attached to the upper front of the lower mast, at thetop.Itsshroudsrun to the edges of the top, rather than to the sides of thehull,though long shrouds leading well aft to the hull, more in the manner ofbackstays,are sometimes seen. In accordance with the standardsquare rigsail plan, the topmast carries thetopsail.In the late 19th century, however, topsails became so big that merchant ships began to divide them into two separate sails for easier handling; since these were still on the topmast they were known as upper and lower topsails to preserve the consistency of the naming scheme. The majority of large square-riggers today carry separate upper and lower topsails.

Themain topmastcarries the upper end of the main-topmast-staysail; amizzen-topmastmay carry the equivalent. Thefore-topmastwill carry a staysail, but depending on where the lower end of the stay is attached it may be called a fore-topmast-staysail or an inner jib.

Whensteelmasts were introduced, with their lengths no longer limited by the height of a tree, ships were often constructed with single spars serving as both lower mast and topmast. In every other respect, however, the "topmast" lived on, with separate shrouds to the lower mast and a top between the two. The section of mast immediately above the top was often painted white as the lower masthead used to be, with the section of the steel mast representing the topmast continuing on above in its usual colour.Topgallant mastsandroyal mastswere similarly combined, though, being shorter, they were often one spar even in the days of wood. A common arrangement ontall shipsnow in use is a steel spar as lower and topmast, surmounted by a wooden mast as topgallant and royal.