This is the vertical or near vertical item that sticks up into the air above the deck of a sailing ship. Over the centuries the mast was mostly made up of a single tree, mostly fir trees. However as ship sizes increased larger masts were needed than could be made from a single tree. So masts were made up of different sections.

Larger masts on a ship were made up of four different sections. The lower sections were made of more than one section of wood lashed together. Then as the mast grew in height the outside diameter would decease. Each higher section of the mast would overlap with the lower section giving it strength. Most square rigged sailing ship used 3 masts. In order from the bow to the stern they are Fore-mast, Main-mast, and Mizzen Mast.

Each mast in turn is broken down into its sections. I will use the main mast as an example: Main-mast lower, Main topmast, Main topgallant mast, and finally royal mast if fitted. The royal mast is almost never seen on any other mast than the main mast. In some cases ships will carry a 4th and 5th mast, they are called Bonaventure mizzen and Jigger-mast. These are both located aft of the mizzen mast.

Wood remained the material of choice for masts until after World War II. Extruded aluminum then took over as the primary
material for mast construction. Now today carbon fibers have replaced aluminum as primary material. Using carbon also allows a mast to be shaped into an airfoil. The airfoil shape also helps provide propulsion for the boat.

Today we use a term of captain’s mast. This is when a sailor or marine receives NJP, non-judicial punishment. This is taken directly from sailing ships. Meetings on sailing ships were held around the main mast of the ship. This offered the most space for the crew. When a sailor was punished it was normally at the main mast as well. There was plenty of room to swing the cat. The sailor being punished would have his hands tied to the mast and punishment delivered. Hence meetings for punishment became known as captain’s mast.