# Topmast

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Upper section of mast on sailing ship

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A traditional ship's mast, consisting of "lower" (i.e. Main-, Fore- or Mizzen-) mast, topmast and topgallant/royal mast. The topmast is highlighted in red.

The [masts](/source/Mast_(sailing)) of traditional sailing ships were not single spars, but were constructed of separate sections or masts, each with its own [rigging](/source/Rigging). The **topmast** is one of these.

The topmast is semi-permanently attached to the upper front of the lower mast, at the [top](/source/Top_(sailing_ship)). Its [shrouds](/source/Shroud_(sailing)) run to the edges of the top, rather than to the sides of the [hull](/source/Hull_(watercraft)), though long shrouds leading well aft to the hull, more in the manner of [backstays](/source/Backstay), are sometimes seen. In accordance with the standard [square rig](/source/Square_rig) sail plan, the topmast carries the [topsail](/source/Topsail).[1] In the late 19th century, however, topsails became so big that merchant ships began to divide them into two separate sails for easier handling; since these were still on the topmast they were known as upper and lower topsails to preserve the consistency of the naming scheme. The majority of large square-riggers today carry separate upper and lower topsails.

The **main topmast** carries the upper end of the main-topmast-staysail; a **mizzen-topmast** may carry the equivalent. The **fore-topmast** will carry a staysail, but depending on where the lower end of the stay is attached it may be called a fore-topmast-staysail or an inner jib.

When [steel](/source/Steel) masts were introduced, with their lengths no longer limited by the height of a tree, ships were often constructed with single spars serving as both lower mast and topmast. In every other respect, however, the "topmast" lived on, with separate shrouds to the lower mast and a top between the two. The section of mast immediately above the top was often painted white as the lower masthead used to be, with the section of the steel mast representing the topmast continuing on above in its usual colour. **Topgallant masts** and **royal masts** were similarly combined, though, being shorter, they were often one spar even in the days of wood. A common arrangement on [tall ships](/source/Tall_ship) now in use is a steel spar as lower and topmast, surmounted by a wooden mast as topgallant and royal.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Stevenson, Angus; Waite, Maurice (18 August 2011). [*Concise Oxford English Dictionary: Luxury Edition*](https://www.google.com/books/edition/Concise_Oxford_English_Dictionary/sYScAQAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=topmast+topsail&pg=PA1521&printsec=frontcover). OUP Oxford. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-19-960111-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-19-960111-0).

v t e Sails, spars and rigging including limited use*, outdated† Rigs Textile Bermuda B&R Cat Fore-and-aft Gaff Gunter Junk* Ljungström Mast-aft Pinisi Square Other Rotorsail* Turbosail* Wingsail SolidSail Sails (sailing rigs) Three-sided Asymmetrical spinnaker Crab claw* Gennaker Genoa Jib Lateen Mainsail (Bermuda rig) Raffee Ringtail* Screecher* Spinnaker Staysail Trysail* Four-sided Course Fisherman† Foresail Junk sail* Lug sail Mainsail (square rig) Moonraker* Ringtail* Royal Skysail* Spanker Spritsail (square-rigged)† Spritsail* (Optimist) Studding* Tanja sail Topgallant Topsail Watersail* Components Batten Bolt rope Cringle Emblems Draft Jackline Reefing points Roach Sailcloth Spreader patch Tell-tale Spars On bow Bowsprit sprit topmast Dolphin striker Jackstaff Jibboom Pelican striker On mast Boom Boomkin Gaff Truck Crosstrees Spinnaker pole Spreader Sprit Yard Rigging Standing Bobstay Lazy jack Running backstay Shroud ratlines Stay mouse† Stays backstay forestay Running Boomkicker* Boom vang Braces Buntlines Cunningham Clewlines Downhaul Guy Halyard peak throat Outhaul Preventer Sheet Tack Topping lift Components Baggywrinkle Belaying pin* Block Cleat bitts Clevis pin Deadeye Earing Fairlead Footrope Gasket Parrel beads Ring bolt Roller furling Shackle Swivel gooseneck Trapeze Traveller Turnbuckle Winch

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