Jacob's ladder (nautical)

For other uses, see Jacob's Ladder (disambiguation).

Members of Prince William's crew climb onto the main-top using the Jacob's ladder.

The term Jacob's ladder, applies to a kind of ladder found on some square rigged ships. To climb above the lower mast to the topmast and above, sailors must get around the top, a platform projecting from the mast. Although on many ships the only way round was the overhanging futtock shrouds, modern-day tall ships often provide an easier vertical ladder from the ratlines as well. This is the Jacob's ladder.

See also

• Pilot ladder