Old style
Hello,
Take a look at a square-rigger sometime; under the tops you'll see galvanized rod rigging, otherwise known as futtock shrouds. These are very short stays that oppose the pull of the topmast shrouds. Together they act much like diamond stays on modern boats. Rod was used here because the runs are so short (too short for spliced wire), and also perhaps because rod, over those short runs, can be loaded in compression, to hold up the lee side of the top under way.
Alas, the prospects for galvanized rod rigging are not great. The alloy used in rod is formulated, not just for strength and corrosion-resistance, but for being cold-formed without fatiguing. As I understand it, plow steel just can't be cold-formed over those lengths, in rod thicknesses, without problems.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss
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