STAY, a large strong rope employed to support the mast on the fore-part, by extending from its upper end towards the fore-part of the ship, as the shrouds are extended to the right and left, and behind it. See MAST, RIGGING, and SHROUD.
The stay of the fore-mast a, fig. 3. Plate CCLXXVI. which is called the fore-stay, reaches from the mast-head towards the bowsprit-end: the main-stay b extends over the forecastle to the ship's stem; and the mizen-stay c is stretched down to that part of the main-mast which lies immediately above the quarter-deck: the fore-top-mast stay d comes also to the end of the bowsprit, a little beyond the fore-stay: the main-top-mast stay e is attached to the head or hounds of the fore-mast; and the mizen-top-mast stay comes also to the hounds of the main-mast: the fore-top-gallant stay comes to the outer end of the jib-boom; and the main-top-gallant stay is extended to the head of the fore-top-mast.