topgallant mast
Noun: A topgallant mast is a specific mast on a traditional square-rigged sailing ship. It is the third mast section, fixed vertically to the top (or "head") of the topmast, which is itself fixed to the top of the lower main mast. It is the highest section of the mast structure on such vessels.
The term is used specifically in the context of nautical history, sailing, and the rigging of tall ships. * The sailors climbed the rigging to the topgallant mast to set the sail. * During the storm, the force of the wind damaged the topgallant mast.
- The term is often part of the compound names for the sails set on this mast: topgallant sail (or simply "topgallant"). The mast itself can be abbreviated informally as the "t'gallant mast" in nautical speech.
- On a fully rigged ship, the complete mast from bottom to top is typically: lower mast > topmast > topgallant mast > (sometimes) royal mast.
- Topgallant (noun): Most commonly refers to the sail set on the topgallant mast. (e.g., "Reef the topgallant!")
- Topmast: The mast section immediately below the topgallant mast.
- Square-rigged: The type of ship rigging where the principal sails are set on horizontal yards perpendicular to the ship's keel.
There are no direct synonyms for this specific nautical component. Related descriptive terms include: * Upper mast * Third mast section
The term refers exclusively to a structural component of a specific type of historical sailing vessel. It has no other general meanings in modern English.
- a mast fixed to the head of a topmast on a square-rigged vessel