Round brass thimble strength?

[Brion Toss]

Thanks for the kind words, but in reviewing my previous entry, I note the effects of writing it late at night, at the end of a long day. There was a time when round thimbles were the only type available, even for heavy loads; the ones in sails are a surviving example, in a special context, as are other surviving round thimble or ring applications. And of course no thimble -- and no block-and-tackle -- is the best way to do runners, I think. Just one block on deck, with a good lead to take a continuous, single-part HM runner to the empty weather primary winch. Much more power, instant overhaul and take-up, no blocks banging you in the head, neat cheaper. And no thimbles of any shape needed.
Fair leads,
Brion Toss