Henry measures the rigging (8)

I believe the answer is:

halyards

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'henry measures the rigging' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'henry measures' is the wordplay.
'henry' becomes 'hal' (short for Henry).
'measures' becomes 'yards' (yard is a kind of measure).
'hal'+'yards'='HALYARDS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for halyards that I've seen before include "Ropes for raising and lowering sails or flags" , "Nautical ropes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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