Posted by Bob Read on May 29, 1999 at 19:53:32 in 208.142.225.117:
In Reply to: Ratlines posted by Jerry Davidson on May 29, 1999 at 17:20:03:
Jerry:
Just a correction on a common mistake. The main two support lines on either side of the masts were shrouds. The small foot rungs are actually the "ratlines". They were indeed functional. I believe this is how access was gained to the masthead lamp and the docking lamps. They were a wire rope (either cable laid or shroud laid) depending on the direction of twist of the wires.
The "ratlines" appear to have been a straight piece of wire attached to the two shrouds. The ratline wire didn't appear to have much of any "sag" like you would see on a sailing vessel. It looked pretty stiff. As far as color, I would have them as black or very dark gray. They were steel and would have had to have been treated somehow or painted to prevent rust.
Regards,
Bob Read
: Need some help here. I have about 20 books on Titanic but have a hard time deciding what color or colors to paint the ratlines. Does anyone know the 'actual' colors. Were they cable? Were they rope with wooden rungs? Were they just rope? Were they functional or just ornamental? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.
: Jerry