I can’t find an answer to this anywhere and it is driving me crazy!!!
block and tackle on a hoist. Same way you hoist the sails on the masts.
whoopee do A windlass is not the answer but just a small part of it. A derrick crane used along with a windlass would be used to both lower and raise boats. The simple derrick crane consisted of a vertical post with an arm looking like a short mast and boom. This was also used to transfer stores from jolly boats on to the deck of these ships. Davits came along later. well clearly non of you know of a tall ship nor a star to steer her by !
A lot of fitting and rigging was temporary and often does not show up on drawings of these ships because it was only in place when being used. So arms as some called them were set in place for rigging the blocks and tackles used to get the boats (skiffs) back on board. But at that time they were not called life boats.
The usual technique was to cockbill the main yard and with a block and tackle secured to the upper end, hoist the boat aboard using muscle power, alternatively heaving and belaying the tail rope. Alternatively, the tail rope could be led forward via sheaves and rollers to the anchor capstan and the boat hoisted by rotating the capstan, again using muscle power. Windlasses were not introduced until chain anchor cable was brought into use later in the 19th century. Anchor cables were hempen and could not be used with a windlass, which will be obvious if you study its construction. If this answer is still driving you crazy, look up the meanings of the terms which you don't understand. A little self research is good for you as it helps you to remember things.
cranes, the idea of using ropes and pulleys (block and tackle) are OLD, OLD school technology. cranes that are powered by something other human or animal muscle power, and materials to replace the weaker ropes with to increase lifting ability, are the only remotely new things about all the cranes used in todays modern world. and even motors and steel cables are OLD in the terms of a humans average lifespan.....
