SPRITSAIL-TOPSAIL, a sail extended above the former, by a yard which hangs across the jib-boom. The lower corners of this sail are hauled home to the spritsail-yard-arms; after which the sail is drawn out towards the extremity of the boom, in light winds, as any other topsail-yard is hoisted upon its mast.
Formerly the spritsail-topsails were set on a mast which was erected perpendicularly on the end of the bowsprit: but this method has of late been justly rejected as inconvenient and dangerous to the bowsprit, although serviceable in light breezes.