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{{Short description|Type of mast used on warships}}
{{Refimprove|date=September 2014}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}
[[File:Battleship Texas - exterior - DSCN0084.JPG|thumb|Tripod mast, as here on {{USS|Texas|BB-35|6}}, were strong enough to carry heavy equipment such as searchlights, radar and the spotting top high up]]
[[File:Battleship Texas - exterior - DSCN0084.JPG|thumb|Tripod mast, as here on {{USS|Texas|BB-35|6}}, were strong enough to carry heavy equipment such as searchlights, radar and the spotting top high up]]

The '''tripod mast''' is a type of [[mast (sailing)|mast]] used on warships from the [[Edwardian era]] onwards, replacing the pole mast. Tripod masts are distinctive using two large (usually cylindrical) support [[column]]s spread out at angles to brace another (usually vertical) column.
The '''tripod mast''' is a type of [[mast (sailing)|mast]] used on warships from the [[Edwardian era]] onwards,{{dubious|date=December 2022}} replacing the pole mast. Tripod masts are distinctive using two large (usually cylindrical) support [[column]]s spread out at angles to brace another (usually vertical) column.


==History==
==History==
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These masts used three large cylindrical tubes or columns to form the mast. The tubes provided structural cross-bracing and a stiff structure, but were still structurally efficient and reasonably lightweight.
These masts used three large cylindrical tubes or columns to form the mast. The tubes provided structural cross-bracing and a stiff structure, but were still structurally efficient and reasonably lightweight.


Tripod masts were predated by pole masts. The idea dates at least as far back as the French {{sclass|Terrible|ironclad|1}}s, built in the late 1870s, which used a pair of tripod masts.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Roberts |first=Stephen |title=French Warships in the Age of Steam 1859–1914 |year=2021 |location=Barnsley, UK |publisher=Seaforth |page=83 |isbn=978-1-5267-4533-0 |oclc=1245658238}}</ref>
Tripod masts were predated by pole masts.


The Royal Navy moved to tripod mast from pole masts with their last [[pre-dreadnought]] ([[Lord Nelson-class battleship|''Lord Nelson'' class]]) and the first [[dreadnought battleship]], [[HMS Dreadnought (1906)|HMS ''Dreadnought'']] (launched in 2006) and thereafter in their later battleships and battlecruisers.
The [[Royal Navy]] moved to the tripod mast from pole masts with their last [[pre-dreadnought]] ([[Lord Nelson-class battleship|''Lord Nelson'' class]]) and the first [[dreadnought battleship]], [[HMS Dreadnought (1906)|HMS ''Dreadnought'']] (launched in 1906) and thereafter in their later battleships and battlecruisers.


The [[United States Navy]] preferred the lightweight [[lattice mast]], which used an array of thin columns at angles, crossing each other in a double helical spiral configuration in a form of [[hyperboloid structure]]. These were used on their first dreadnought battleships launched in 1908. The US were the only significant users of lattice masts. Eventually, these structures proved less structurally sound than intended. On January 15, 1918, {{USS|Michigan|BB-27|6}} had a lattice mast collapse in an intense storm.
[[File:Arizona (BB39) Port Bow, Underway - NARA - 5900075 - 1930.jpg |thumb|{{USS|Arizona|BB-39|6}}'s original 1923 lattice masts]]
Beginning in the 1930s, the US Navy started refitting their battleships and other capital ships with the more robust tripod mast design.
[[File:USS_Arizona_after_1931_modernization_NARA_19-LC-19B-1.jpg |thumb| USS ''Arizona''{{'}}s 1931 tripod mast refit]]

The [[United States Navy]] favored the lightweight [[lattice mast]], which used an array of thin columns at angles, crossing each other in a double helical spiral configuration in a form of [[hyperboloid structure]]. These were used on their first dreadnought battleships launched in 1908. The US were the only significant users of lattice masts
The tripod mast structure continued in use until stealth designs started to move away from open masts entirely in the 2000s.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} The Royal Navy began using plated-in masts or "macks" in the early 1960s, either as new construction or by refit, such as that of {{HMS|Salisbury|F32|6}} in 1962.<ref>Marriott, Leo. ''Royal Navy Frigates, 1945–1983'', Ian Allan Ltd. p. 50.</ref>
Lattice masts proved less structurally sound than intended. On January 15, 1918, {{USS|Michigan|BB-27|6}} had a lattice mast collapse in an intense storm.

Beginning in the 1930s, the US Navy started refitting their battleships and other capital ships with the more robust tripod mast design.
<gallery widths="200" heights="160">
File:Arizona (BB39) Port Bow, Underway - NARA - 5900075 - 1930.jpg|{{USS|Arizona|BB-39|6}}'s original 1923 lattice masts
File:USS_Arizona_after_1931_modernization_NARA_19-LC-19B-1.jpg|USS ''Arizona''{{'}}s 1931 tripod mast refit
File:USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) steams through the Mediterranean Sea.jpg|The {{Sclass|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}}s have a modern form of tripod mast
</gallery>


The tripod mast structure, continued in use until stealth designs started to move away from open masts entirely in the 2000s.{{citation needed|date=December 2013}} The Royal Navy began using plated-in masts or "macks" in the early 1960s, either as new construction or by refit, such as that of {{HMS|Salisbury|F32|6}} in 1962.<ref>Marriott, Leo, ''Royal Navy Frigates, 1945-1983'', Ian Allan Ltd., p.50</ref>
[[File:USS Arleigh Burke (DDG 51) steams through the Mediterranean Sea.jpg |thumb| The {{sclass-|Arleigh Burke|destroyer|1}}s have a modern form of tripod mast]]
==See also==
==See also==
*[[Pagoda mast]]
* [[Pagoda mast]]


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


[[Category:Watercraft components]]
[[Category:Nautical terminology]]
[[Category:Nautical terminology]]
[[Category:Watercraft components]]

Latest revision as of 17:27, 14 December 2024

Tripod mast, as here on USS Texas, were strong enough to carry heavy equipment such as searchlights, radar and the spotting top high up

The tripod mast is a type of mast used on warships from the Edwardian era onwards,[dubiousdiscuss] replacing the pole mast. Tripod masts are distinctive using two large (usually cylindrical) support columns spread out at angles to brace another (usually vertical) column.

History

[edit]

The masts were intended to provide a raised platform for visual observers and for fire control equipment, elevated up above the main hull for visibility and to reduce the risk of shell damage to the gear and crews. These masts used three large cylindrical tubes or columns to form the mast. The tubes provided structural cross-bracing and a stiff structure, but were still structurally efficient and reasonably lightweight.

Tripod masts were predated by pole masts. The idea dates at least as far back as the French Terrible-class ironclads, built in the late 1870s, which used a pair of tripod masts.[1]

The Royal Navy moved to the tripod mast from pole masts with their last pre-dreadnought (Lord Nelson class) and the first dreadnought battleship, HMS Dreadnought (launched in 1906) and thereafter in their later battleships and battlecruisers.

The United States Navy preferred the lightweight lattice mast, which used an array of thin columns at angles, crossing each other in a double helical spiral configuration in a form of hyperboloid structure. These were used on their first dreadnought battleships launched in 1908. The US were the only significant users of lattice masts. Eventually, these structures proved less structurally sound than intended. On January 15, 1918, USS Michigan had a lattice mast collapse in an intense storm. Beginning in the 1930s, the US Navy started refitting their battleships and other capital ships with the more robust tripod mast design.

The tripod mast structure continued in use until stealth designs started to move away from open masts entirely in the 2000s.[citation needed] The Royal Navy began using plated-in masts or "macks" in the early 1960s, either as new construction or by refit, such as that of HMS Salisbury in 1962.[2]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Roberts, Stephen (2021). French Warships in the Age of Steam 1859–1914. Barnsley, UK: Seaforth. p. 83. ISBN 978-1-5267-4533-0. OCLC 1245658238.
  2. ^ Marriott, Leo. Royal Navy Frigates, 1945–1983, Ian Allan Ltd. p. 50.