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The tripod mast is a type of mast used on warships from the Edwardian era onwards,^{[dubious – discuss]} 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

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]

USS Arizona's original 1923 lattice masts
USS Arizona's 1931 tripod mast refit
The Arleigh Burke-class destroyers have a modern form of tripod mast

References

^ 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.
^ Marriott, Leo. Royal Navy Frigates, 1945–1983, Ian Allan Ltd. p. 50.

[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.

[1]

[2]

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+{{Short description|Type of mast used on warships}}
-{{Refimprove|date=September 2014}}
+{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}
-The '''Tripod Mast''' is a type of [[mast (sailing)|mast]] used on warships from the [[Edwardian era]] onwards, replacing the pole and [[lattice mast]].  Tripod masts are notable for using three large (usually cylindrical) support [[column]]s spread out at angles to brace each other.
+[[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,{{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.
-{{Gallery
-|title=Lattice and Tripod Masts
-|width=160 | height=170 | lines=4
-|align=center
-|File:Arizona (BB39) Port Bow, Underway - NARA - 5900075 - 1930.jpg | alt1 = The Battleship USS Arizona original 1920s Lattice Mast | [[USS Arizona (BB-39)|USS Arizona's]] original 1923 Lattice masts.
-|File:USS_Arizona_after_1931_modernization_NARA_19-LC-19B-1.jpg | alt2 = The Battleship USS Arizona after her 1931 refit with Tripod Masts | USS Arizona's 1931 Tripod mast refit.
-|File:USS Ingersoll DD-990.jpg | alt3 = The Spruance class destroyer USS Ingersoll, with its Tripod Mast (as constructed) | [[Spruance-class destroyer]] [[USS Ingersoll (DD-990)]] with her Tripod masts
-|File:USS_Arleigh_Burke_Mediterranean.jpg | alt4 = The USS Arleigh Burke DDG-51 with its Tripod Masts | [[Arleigh Burke class destroyer]] [[USS Arleigh Burke (DDG-51)]] and her Tripod masts
-|File:Battleship Texas - exterior - DSCN0084.JPG|alt5=Tripod mast on the USS ''Texas'' (BB-35)|Tripod mast on the [[USS Texas (BB-35)|USS ''Texas'' (BB-35)]]
-}}
-__TOC__
 ==History==
+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.
-Tripod Masts were predated by pole masts and lightweight [[Lattice mast]]s, a system which used an array of thin columns at angles, crossing each other in a double helical spiral configuration in a form of [[hyperboloid structure]]. The US Navy favoured the lattice mast while the British Royal Navy preferred pole or tripod masts.
+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>
+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.
+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|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>
-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.  They accomplished those goals, but the masts proved less structurally sound than intended.  On Jan 15, 1918, the [[USS Michigan (BB-27)]] had a lattice mast collapse in an intense storm.
+<gallery widths="200" heights="160">
-Beginning in the 1930s, the US Navy started refitting Battleships and other capital ships with the more robust Tripod mast design.  These masts elevated the equipment and observer stations, but used three large cylindrical tubes or columns to form the mast rather than an open lattice.  The tubes provided structural cross-bracing and a stiff structure, but were still structurally efficient and reasonably lightweight.
+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>
+==See also==
-This basic mast structure, with three large tubes or columns, continued in use with the introduction of [[Radar]] and were used on US warships 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)|HMS Salisbury]] in 1962.<ref>Marriot, Leo, ''Royal Navy Frigates, 1945-1983'', Ian Allan Ltd., p.50</ref>
+* [[Pagoda mast]]
 ==References==
-{{reflist}}
+{{Reflist}}
+[[Category:Nautical terminology]]
 [[Category:Watercraft components]]