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A new bitt - a vertical anchoring post used to help raise the lowest sail on the mast - has just been fitted by our expert shipwright team. During the ongoing refit of the ship, it was discovered that the old bitt - the fore course yard halliard bitt - had rotted. The new bitt is made of green oak from Hampshire and has an overall length of 10ft. The heel of the bitt has been tenoned to fit into a mortised step. Two large pieces of oak either side of the bitt - the partners - lock it to the deck beams.  

 Some say that the phrase “to the bitter end” comes from an old nautical term to describe when there is no more line or rope to play with or tie to the bitt.