Sheers

Sheers

Sheers are a form of two-legged lifting device, that were used by sailboats and dockyards for tasks such as lifting masts and heavier parts of the rigging on board. [cite book|pages=97|title=Rudimentary Treatise on Masting, Mast-making, and Rigging of Ships|author=Robert Kipping|date=1854|location=London|publisher=John Weale]

Unlike in a gyn, which has three legs and is thus stable without support, stability in sheers (and in a derrick) is provided by a guy. [cite book|title=Rudimentary Dictionary of Terms Used in Architecture, Civil, Architecture, Naval, etc.|author=John Weale|pages=142,403|date=1850|publisher=John Weale|location=London] Sheers comprise two upright spars, lashed together at their heads and their feet splayed apart. The heels of the spars are secured by splay and heel tackles. The point at the top of the sheers where the spars cross and are lashed together is the crutch, to which a block and tackle is attached. Unlike derricks, sheers need no lateral support, and only require either a foreguy and an aftguy or a martingale and a topping lift. Being made of two spars rather than one, sheers are stronger than a derrick of the same size and made of equivalent materials. Unlike the apex of a gyn, which is fixed, the crutch of a sheers can be topped up or lowered, via the topping lift, through a limited angle. [cite book|title=Admiralty Manual of Seamanship|author=Ministry of Defence (Navy)|date=1995|publisher=The Stationery Office|id=ISBN 0117726966|pages=3-192–3-194,3-203]

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  • sheers — Shears Shears, n. pl. [Formerly used also in the singular. See {Shear}, n., 1.] 1. A cutting instrument. Specifically: (a) An instrument consisting of two blades, commonly with bevel edges, connected by a pivot, and working on both sides of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • sheers — plural of sheer present third singular of sheer * * * /shearz/, n. (usually used with a pl. v.) shear (def. 16). * * * sheers or shears plural noun An apparatus for hoisting heavy weights, having legs or spars spread apart at their lower ends,… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Sheers, Owen — (1974 )    Born in Fiji, he was brought up in Abergavenny, South Wales, and educated at King Henry VIII comprehensive, Abergavenny, and New College, Oxford. He was the winner of an Eric Gregory Award and the 1999 Vogue Young Writer s Award. His… …   British and Irish poets

  • sheers — /shearz/, n. (usually used with a pl. v.) shear (def. 16). * * * …   Universalium

  • sheers — noun /ˈʃɪəz,ʃɪrz/ sheerlegs …   Wiktionary

  • Sheers — This is a patronymic i.e. the son of Shear , a complimentary personal nickname deriving from the medieval English scher or schir itself coming from the Olde English pre 7th Century scir meaning bright or fair and originally given as a nickname to …   Surnames reference

  • sheers — ʃɪr /ʃɪə n. swerve, sudden change of direction, abrupt change of course v. swerve, change course suddenly, change direction abruptly; cause to change course quickly, cause to swerve adj. thin and nearly transparent; not combined with… …   English contemporary dictionary

  • Owen Sheers — (born 20th September 1974) is a Welsh poet, author, playwright, actor and TV presenter.[1] Contents 1 Biography 2 Actor TV Presenter 3 Awards and honours …   Wikipedia

  • Crown and Sheers Place, Royal Mint Street —    North out of Royal Mint Street. In. Portsoken Ward (L.C.C. List of Streets, 1901).    Former names : Blue Anchor Alley (O. and M. 1677, to London Guide, 1758). Crown and Sheers Alley (Rev. of London, 1728). Crown and Sheers Court (Rocque 1746… …   Dictionary of London

  • Crown and Sheers Alley —    See Crown and Sheers Place …   Dictionary of London

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