The name refers to the “snow mast”, an auxiliary mast stepped just abaft (behind) the mizzen, or rearmost, mast holding the [[spanker]] or mizzen sail. This simplified sail handling; of some importance in commercial operations – certain fore-and-aft sail configurations also used the idea. | The name refers to the “snow mast”, an auxiliary mast stepped just abaft (behind) the mizzen, or rearmost, mast holding the [[spanker]] or mizzen sail. This simplified sail handling; of some importance in commercial operations – certain fore-and-aft sail configurations also used the idea. |