Deadeyes
Deadeyes were key elements in a ship’s standing rigging which helped keep the masts in position.
They were a type of block and tackle, and were generally made of an extremely durable West Indian hardwood known as lignum vitae. A rope was reeved through the holes to extend either shrouds (rope supports that laterally stabilize the mast), or stays (elements of the standing rigging that support a mast in the fore-and-aft line).
The groove around the edge the deadeye was intended to accept either the lower end of a shroud/stay, or the strap of a chainplate attached to the ship’s hull. .
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