How to build a mast! The Renewal of HMS Gannet's Foremast

In 2011 a survey found the foremast of HMS Gannet to be rotten, requiring the construction of a new mast. This video gives step by step details on the key parts of how the mast was built from start to finish. HMS Gannet was a Royal Navy Doterel-class screw sloop built on the Medway at Sheerness and launched in 1878. She was preserved in 1987 as part of the Core Collection of the UK's National Historic Fleet and is based at the Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent. Chatham is famous for a number of historic vessels, including HMS Victory (1759).

[@frogmarch1000]

Incredible craftsmanship.

[@shanekonarson]

Working with that much Douglas Fir ,,, that amazing smell all day . Brilliant work.

[@gordoncraig8238]

The lightning conductor is a good idea. In the old days, if you didn't have one, the mast would get blown to bits if it got hit. That would ruin your day!

[@stevewilliams2498]

What is an 8 sided hexagon ?
Is it anything like an octogon ?

[@greggsenne1268]

And twice 16 is 32, not 34.

[@yerfdogderf]

Is that how the original mast was constructed? I thought they used to be made from solid tree trunks.

[@cturturro807]

WOW! Very cool

[@stevenarnold46]

Was there a coin under the old mast?

[@shanekonarson]

Steven Arnold @ 6:10 , 5 quid coin .

[@daleskidmore1685]

It is called an Octagon.

[@veleiroema]

Subtitles off ?

why not use a TREE

[@saintdarthcoder]

They don't make trees this big and straight anymore, and most probably have intrinsic faults that make them unsuitable for being a mast (warp, twist, cracks, etc).

[@RichyN25]

Trying to grow a tree that tall, thick, and straight without faults is not only incredibly difficult, but it would take decades. Tree trunks used masts are only feasible for much smaller ships.