---------------------- Alberta's multi-purpose shroud link plate

Purpose 1. To link the chain plate to the shroud chain. (duh!)
Purpose 2. To provide a hinge point for the topmast shroud lever. Now this is a wild deviation from tradition but it works really well. To strike the topmast, the topmast shrouds need to be slackened off to allow for the removal of the fid. For the shrouds to be effective, there needs to be very low stretch. As the need for striking the topmast is usually because of a blow coming on, a low bridge, etc. it needs to be done smartly. The lever is simply held down by a line passing under the bulwark strake to a cleat.
Purpose 3. To provide a strong point to bolt on the shear legs. The bolt passes through the hole in the middle of the link plates. Traditionally there is either a bolt hole in the bulwark strake (not very strong) or through the hull (bung prone to leaks; awkward to see the hole under the channel from deck; needs to be below the beam shelf for access to the nut; two man job - one on deck + one below)