What can we know about the materials used in making sails during the wars with France? I didn't think I would find much, so I was pleasantly surprised when interesting bits began to appear. Here are a few of the interesting things I've found to date.
LAWS REGULATING MANUFACTURE
According to an Act of Parliament:
British sailcloth shall be 24 inches in breadth and 38 yards in length, shall weigh according to the numbers here mentioned,
FIBER CONTENT
... Of the first four numbers (the 4 heaviest weights) of such sail-cloth, shall be made of long flax, without any mixture of short or bar flax, or of long flax, or Italian hemp, Braak hemp; and all the flax and hemp used in making the warp and shoot yarn of such sail-cloth, of the aforesaid four numbers, shall be of a strong staple, fresh, sound, and good in its kind...
In a letter appearing in "The Tradesman", an anonymous writer (I suspect Lord Cochrane) describes the methods of manufacturing sail-cloth and notes that Government canvas is made of a warp or chain of flax yarn, weighing about 20 lbs. laid double, the woof or shute (weft) is of hemp yarn drove on single, weighing about 24 lbs for number 1 canvas. In addition, the weavers apply a wheaten flour dressing, to glue together the double threads of the warp.
It should be noted that writer felt British Navy Canvas was the worse in Europe and had conducted extensive research in the various weaves of cloth. Universally Dutch canvas was considered the best.
The inferiority of the British Navy Canvas lay chiefly with the use of flour to glue the double warp together and the inherent problems it caused -- namely mildew.
The inferiority of the British Navy Canvas lay chiefly with the use of flour to glue the double warp together and the inherent problems it caused -- namely mildew.
In a parting shot aimed at the Navy Board the writer contends it was their inflexibility to change the regulations regarding the manufacture of sail-cloth. The inferiority of government canvas cannot be attributed to the manufacturers, for they make it according to their [the Navy Board's] instructions. (Anon. 297)
MARKINGS
All sail-cloth was required to be stamped to identify if it was domestic or foreign manufactured as laid down in the Customs and Excise Laws:
And for the better ascertaining and distinguishing the sail-cloth of British manufacture from foreign sail-cloth, every manufacturer of sail-cloth in Great Britain shall affix or impress, or cause to be fixed or impressed, on every piece of sail-cloth by and manufactured, a stamp, containing the name and place of abode of such manufacturer, in plain distinct letters, and words at length...
There is sailmaker's stamp from London dating between 1794-1823 in the Mariner's Museum, Norfolk, VA measures 14 cm (height) x 21 cm (length) x 2.5 cm (depth).
Foreign made sailcloth was required to have a stamp eight inches diameter, and officers of customs on stamping sail-cloth, &c. are to cause the stamps to be dipped in red lead mixed with linseed oil: the stamp or impression thereof shall denote the place of entry.(Pope 454-5)
In addition, the stamps needed to be affixed to the finished product as stated in the law. "Every person who shall make up into sails any foreign made sail-cloth or canvas made into sails, shall place the stamps affixed or impressed thereon on the after side of the sails, and in such a manner, that the number of stamps in every sail may appear proportionably to the number of bolts or pieces contained in the sail..."(Pope 455)
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Anon.
1809 The Tradesman, Volume 3. Sherwood, Neely & Jones. London
Pope, Charles
1814 A practical Abridgement of the Custom and Excise Law. Robert Baldwin. London.
