Steps of the Masts

The steps into which the heels of the masts are fixed, are large pieces of timber. Those for the main and fore masts are fixed across the keelson, and that for the mizzen mast upon the lower deck beams. The holes or mortises into which the masts step, should have sufficient wood on each side to accord in strength with the tenon left at the heel of the mast, and the hole should be cut rather less than the tenon, as an allowance for shrinking.