How are yardarms attached to a mast on the old "tall" ships?

Answer 1

there are two types of yardarms...fixed and movable.......

both can rotate side to side. both have a "u" shaped fitting on the yard with a hole in the tongue that sticks towards the mast.there will be two bands around the mast , with tongues that stick out forward; a bolt goes thru these and then the tongue on the yardarm tang......

the difference comes in that on some yard..the main yard, lower topsail, lower top gallant...the two bands on the mast are fixed in place.......on the upper topsail and upper top gallant......and the royal yard if carried, the bands on the mast are circular, and can slide up and down the mast. You can then lower the yard and sail when furled about 20 feet to improve stability on the ship. That's why in some pictures of tall ships it looks like there's one yard right above the other........there is..it's in the stowed position...

Answer 2

Via an iron brace and of coarse the horns at the end of the gaff which half encircle the mast. A rope called a "jaw rope," or jaw parrel, is fitted to the ends of the horns, and, passing round the mast, keeps the gaff in its place. Wood beads are rove on the rope to make it slide easily on the mast.