Splice the mainbrace - Nautical history with Master Shipwright Louis Sauzedde

[@deflumped]

Originally 'splice the mainbrace' was an order to repair the mainbrace as it was common for it to be damaged in naval battles. It was considered one of the most hazardous / difficult repairs to complete, so was rewarded with an extra ration of grog.

[@callmenortnortin467]

Thank you.I enjoyed your explanation of splicing the main brace. I happened to be at the Canadian navy base in Nova Scotia( worked there as a civilian) when splice the mainbrace was called. Back then Canadian navy hands were issued a "tot" of black navy 151 rum every working day at 11 AM,,if they were so inclined of course. When the daily tot routine was halted the splicing of the mainbrace got called, and the rum flowed! the men had to have a can of pop in hand and their own grog cup! When he got to the man who issued the tot, he had to pour some of his pop into his cup to get his shot!,,That was done as an effort to prevent the men from stashing the rum and stockpiling it or sneaking it off the ship, LOL.. Thanks again for the memory , very much enjoyed it

[@underjoyedistaken]

I cannot explain how neat I found your video. I'm learning so much, please keep them coming!

[@Donderi]

My new favorite KZbin channel. Awesome stuff!

[@inthenameofjustice8811]

I love this channel. I learn new stuff. I learn about old stuff and I get to watch a master craftsman do his art.

[@mmanut]

Love this channel. I'm always looking for new videos. Thank you for sharing.

[@kentblairl]

Thank you Lou! Keep em coming please, videos on obscure Sailor Talk. Cheers, Kent and Audrey

[@adamskinner5868]

interesting videos, u are the man and I've leaned a lot from watching your vids. Thanks from sunny New Zealand, we love sailing

[@tomhunter6158]

Thanks for clearing up the confusion of where the term "splice the main brace" came from.

[@BernhardHofmann]

I just love these old sailing terms and phrases. I enjoy explaining to people that there's nothing rude about "Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass Monkey". Passing on that knowledge is a fantastic thing to do. Thank you so much!

[@BernhardHofmann]

Turn it off! Thank you for correcting me. I'll stop spreading the myth immediately.

[@aearnest]

Thank you for making these videos. I love the content and the craftsmanship. Looking forward to any new videos

[@cappywa]

Your a LEGEND Louis. Keep up the good work mate :)

[@aserta]

Very nicely explained. Love this channel!

[@johnmessersmith3881]

I've watched all ur videos friend you need to keep making um for us boat buffs and builders if I wasent married I'd love to be ur apprentice ur a walking book of learning

[@phillsaska4899]

I enjoy your good use of speech with no use of "word whiskers". High in knowledge and shipwright experience. I love it. Signed, Land Lubber.

[@paradoxdea]

What is a word whisker? I'm very green, but would like to work with tools. Thanks!

[@smurglerer]

Great explanation!

[@friendlypiranha774]

Really, really enjoy your videos👍

[@hrxy1]

more more more please love it

[@flyingtigre1]

thanks for keeping us "straight" capt'n...

[@ClintGrantham]

Great video! More terms and info please!

[@steveskouson9620]

OK, knew this term and it's ethanol-based nautical meaning, for quite a few years. BUT, never knew the reason as to why! All of my sailing experience is on Marconi rigged craft, and the expression doesn't hold water, there. Thank you, Lewis! steve

[@infoanalysis]

STMB comes from The English Navy. When they were at war the enemy would try to shoot for the 5 inch diameter mainbrace that held the main yard. Once severed it rendered the boat incapacitated. If cut they would have to long splice the brace so it would fit through the blocks. A short splice would not do ( any boy scout knows a short splice) A long splice took a long time to weave and took a lot of skill. TO splice the mainbrace during battle aloft in the rigging as to get the ship back in steerage was a very dangerous job. After the job completed they would reward the crew with grog and man who spiced the main brace would be hailed a hero with an extra ration of grog.

[@kentblairl]

Awesome Lou!

[@robinturner2300]

The sailing manoeuvre you describe with the sail and helm sounds to me like heaving to...which brings the vessel to a dead stop and holds station. The main brace is one of the lines on a vessel that support the mast. The shrouds are on either side and the main brace runs from the bow to the mast head and down to the deck. Due to the size and importance of it, repair of this line at sea by splicing in a join was really difficult and as a reward the crew that did it were rewarded with an extra tot of rum for the senior ranks and grog for the ratings. So it wasn't the normal daily ration but an exceptional reward. With the demise of the daily Royal Navy rum ration in 1970 only the sovereign or admiralty can now issue the command. The daily ration was issued when the captain deemed the sun to have risen high enough to be over the Yard Arm, the cross support spar for the top of a square rigged sail. For the uninitiated rigging is made of rope, called lines when in use and all have individual names. I had four naval maternal uncles all serving in WWII at the same time... The RN equivalent of Private Ryan...

[@servantofgod5642]

Braces are the tackle that swing the yards port to starboard. Stays, backstays and shrouds are what support the mast.

[@hiscifi2986]

I wanted to know where they kept 'the Mainbrace' safe, and found this channel. Looks like you got some carpentry to do there. I once manouvred a similar boat out of a barn with a tractor... It took about a 36 point turn, the flat tyres didn't help.

[@wadepatton2433]

mas excelente Capitan!

[@jginmt]

The Yard is the big pole that goes across. The Yard Arm is just the tip of the Yard.

[@GoldiClark]

My dream is to be a shipwright, so I will do whatever I can to make that dream come true! There isn't a thing that can't be accomplished through hard work and determination!

[@AnvilDragon]

Sadly I've been unable to find the proper whistle calls for "Up Spirits" or "Muster for Rum". The often referenced "Sea Scouts Manual" is sadly lacking these two calls.

[@BooCooDaBreeze]

Is this also the origin for saying "brace up" , or 'I need a bracer"? I wonder. P.S. Looking forward to your coming videos. Very informative and enjoyable.

[@wilsocn]

All these nautical terms are very cool but very confusing. I am reading book one of the Aubrey and Maturin series now (Master and Commander) and the terminology has me scratching my head with almost every page. I am convinced that sailors speak another language.

[@cozmcwillie7897]

I wonder how the British Navy functioned as well as it did considering the amount of booze the men drank. Even if their captains only drank half of what Aubery drinks they're in a league of their own.

[@silys5253]

Wikipedia says splicing the mainbrace refers to an order for a difficult emergency repair job...?!?

[@paulnolan7509]

Aussie lingo for beer / booze is grog. Wondered where it came from, thanks.

[@peterroberts2832]

Admiral Vernon Royal Navy See Wikepedia.

[@thall0790]

Ill be there when you pass the grog!

[@NormanMatchem]

Cool! Didn't know what half of that meant... but cool! :P

[@Metal-Possum]

My favourite term is "messabout", because of its origins.

[@StonyRC]

Aye Cap'n.

[@infoanalysis]

geroge carlin's long lost sea fairing brother

[@lawxxxx9853]

'Son of a gun' is another interesting nautical phrase. Look it up...

[@8477willy]

jammer hij spreekt altijd nog

[@shade38211]

Shit! Just spliced the car in front of me.

[@thelearicist]

8 people disliked this video

[@nickdannunzio7683]

A D 2 8

[@smurglerer]

Great explanation!