There are 3 boatswains on board the Hermione :
- The boatswain or Bosco
- The Master Carpenter
- The Master Sailmaker
Role of the Master Sailmaker
On board the Hermione, Marion is in charge of the sails. Her job is to monitor the sails and to set up maintenance to keep them in good shape. When there is no work on the sails, Marion is also in charge of the maneuvers on board with the sail makers or takes care of more specific maneuvers such as anchoring or setting sail.
Ãeuros aboard the Hermione, there are 17 sails (16 on the Fêtes de Brest), which have no secrets for the Maitre-Voilier. To help her in her mission, the gabiers who often handle the sails warn her dès lors they find a tear, a snagâeuros¦
After the arrival of the frigate in Brest, the young Master sailmaker had to go up in the small topsail to repair the sail damaged because of the bad weather.
How to repair a sail?
The Hermione's sails are made of linen and the ropes around them are made of hemp. They are therefore very heavy and thick to pierce. This same configuration can be found on old rigs and traditional boats.
For her sailmaking work, Marion uses a paumelle, a kind of thimble, but made of leather, which covers the palm of the hand to be able to push the needle without hurting herself. And the repairs are done while sailing as well as at anchor, so it is important not to suffer from vertigo when you have to go up in rough seas to repairâeuros¦
How to train as a Master Sailmaker?
Marion was trained by the former Master Sailmaker (who was not in Brest) who passed on her knowledge (creation of a sail for the trip to America, repairâeuros¦). She even passed on her knowledge to the gabiers (equivalent of the sailors) who take care of the maneuvers and help the masters in their mission
However, there are training courses in traditional sailmaking even if the knowledge is often passed on from generation to generation.
