Historical information

Belaying pins can be metal but are often made of wood, treated or untreated, plain or with handles.

A belaying pin is used to secure the running ropes of the rigging to the ship's rails using holes drilled onto the rails for that purpose. The belaying pins are inserted into holes in the ship’s rail, drilled for that purpose. When the sail has been raised, the ropes are wrapped around the upper and lower sections of the pins in a figure-eight pattern. The shapes of these belaying pins taper from the rounded end of the handle inwards towards the bottom, which allows them to have a firm fit into the holes in the rails. The rigging rope is wound around the pins in such a way that a tug on the pin's handle pulls it out of the hole and quickly frees the rope and the sail.

Significance

These belaying pins are significant for their association with sailing vessels, particularly vessels of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Physical description

Belaying pin, metal, painted brown.