2012 Reprint of 1925 Edition. Exact facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Although mastery of the art of rigging is no longer required on board ships today, serious model builders need to learn this art in miniature. The book is widely considered the best manual every produced on rigging the sail ship. This edition is based on the 1925 revision of the original work first published in 1848. Biddlecombe, a Master in the Royal Navy and former merchant seaman, was the author of the first edition. Biddlecombe divides his work into five parts: (1) Alphabetical Explanation of the Terms and Phrases used in Rigging. (2) Directions for the Performing of Operations Incidental to Rigging, and for Preparing It on Shore. (3) Progressive Method of Rigging Ships. (4) Description of Reeving the Running Rigging and Bending the Sails. (5) Tables of the Quantities and Dimensions of the Standing and Running Rigging of Ships, Brigs, Fore-and-Aft Schooners, and Cutters, etc.