Here is a wonderful short video of the stepping of the mast of the tall ship Providence in Wiscasset, Maine. The 110′ 12-gun sloop-of-war is a replica of the first warship in the Continental Navy, originally chartered by the Rhode Island General Assembly as Katy in 1775. The modern replica is nearing the completion of an extensive restoration and will be sailing this summer to a new home in Alexandria, VA.
Old Salt Blog
a virtual port of call for all those who love the sea , hosted by nautical novelist Rick Spilman
I hope you all enjoyed my video 😉
We were discussing the origins of the expression stepping or unstepping a mast just this weekend. We could only find that the term is used because the mast rests on a step but no further explanation was given such as why use the word step. My boat has a keel stepped mast but I don’t think there is actually a step for it to rest on.
I will find out soon as it is overdue being unstepped for maintenance.