Crane Removes Mast Sections From the Friendship of Salem

Portions of the forward and middle masts onboard the Friendship of Salem were removed by a large crane Friday as part of scheduled maintenance work.

“During the down-rigging we’ll closely examine all the components of the wooden masts and their metal hardware for deterioration and decay,” Friendship Captain Jeremy Bumagin said in a release.  “It is important to identify potential weaknesses in each mast to ensure the stability of entire rig – whether we’re sailing underway or moored at Derby Wharf during periods of bad weather with high winds.   We’ll correct any problems we find and re-rig the vessel over the next few years.”
  
This month’s work is the beginning of a two-year “down-rigging” period in which the ship’s mast, spars and rigging will be systematically removed for inspection, repair and/or replacement through 2015.  The removal of various components of Friendship’s rig will significantly alter her appearance during this period of time.

The upper section of the 36-foot, 1-ton fore and main topgallant/royal masts will be the first components  to be removed next week.