Knots, Bends, Splices Part 1

Knots, Bends, Splices.

by J. Netherclift Jutsum.

INTRODUCTION.

The object of this little work is to present in a compact form and systematic order a complete list of all the most useful and important workings connected with Cordage, and a lucid explanation of their various formations.

The explanations of some of the elementary knots have been gone into with what a practical seaman of even short experience may consider almost unnecessary minuteness, but the aim throughout has been to render the work of value to those who approach the subject for the first time.

To attain this end, diagrams are introduced at every stage, and if followed closely step by step, in conjunction with the text referring to them, the learner should have no difficulty in following their construction.

At the same time he must remember that proficiency in what is really skilled workmanship, amounting almost to an art, can only be gained by much practice and perseverance, and should gladly avail himself of any advice or help he may be able to obtain from his more experienced ship-mates.

J. NETHERCLIFT JUTSUM.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROPES.

Rope, the term being used in its widest construction, is made from almost every pliable material, but is generally composed of hemp, manila, coir, cotton, steel, iron, or copper wire.

For the present we will confine ourselves to those having their origin in the vegetable kingdom, and more especially to those made from hemp and manila.

These are divided into three cla.s.ses:--

(1). +A Hawser-laid Rope+, which is composed of three strands laid up generally right-handed (that is, the direction taken by the strands in forming the rope runs always from left to right) (Fig. 1.)

(2). +A Shroud-laid Rope+, also laid up right-handed, but consisting of four strands (Fig. 2) with a heart in the centre.

(3). +A Cable-laid Rope+, which is composed of three right-handed hawser-laid ropes laid up together left-handed, so that it may be said to consist of nine strands (Fig. 3), or it may be formed by three left-handed ropes laid up right-handed (Fig. 4).

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[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3.]

In Fig. 4 we show a more complete a.n.a.lysis of its construction (in this case a right-handed cable-laid rope).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 4.]

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First we see the cable _e_ formed by the three ropes _d_, _f_, and _g_; whilst the rope _g_ is dissected to show the strands forming it, _c_, _h_, _j_; and in the strand _h_ we see _b_, the yarn composing the strand, and _a_ a yarn teased out to show the original fibre.

The end of a rope must always be secured in some way, or it is evident from its construction that it will on the slightest usage become frayed out. The commonest method is by placing on an ordinary whipping, which is done as follows:--First lay the end of a length of twine along the end of the rope, and then commencing at the part furthest from the rope's end take a half dozen or more turns around both the rope and twine end (Fig. 5). Then lay the twine in the form of a loop along the rope and over the turns already taken, as in Fig. 6. To finish off take that portion of the loop designated _a_, and continue taking turns tightly round the rope and part _b_ of the twine until the loop is nearly all used up; pull through the remainder snugly by part _c_, and cut off short when, no end of twine will be visible as in Fig. 7.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 5. Fig. 6. Fig. 7.]

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Considering that we now have at our disposal a small sized rope with the end whipped, we will at once proceed to the formation of the most elementary knots and hitches, namely, those formed by a single rope's end.

Fig. 8 shows a common loop, by which most of the following knots, etc., are commenced. Note exactly how the loop lies, and let us letter its parts clearly for future reference. The part of rope extending from 1 to 2 is known as the standing part which we will call _a_, the portion included between 2 and 3 following round the loop by _y_ and _z_ is termed the bight which we will call _b_, and from 3 to 4 is known as the end _e_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 8.]

Then starting in each case from the position shown in Fig. 8 we make the following knots, etc:--

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(1). +An Overhand Knot+.--Place _e_ up through bight _b_, and draw taut (Fig. 9).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 9.]

(2). +A Figure of Eight Knot+.--Back _e_ round behind _a_, bring over part _z_ and dip down through bight _b_ and haul taut (Fig. 10).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 10.]

(3). +A Simple Clinch+ is formed by closing up the initial loop to form a small ring and securing by a seizing--a small lashing at _d_ (Fig. 11).

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[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 11]

One of the preceding knots is generally put in the end of running gear to prevent it from coming unrove from the fair-leads or blocks.

(4). +A Running or Inside Clinch+ is the foregoing, formed by the end of a rope on its own standing part, and is often used for securing buntlines to the foot of a sail (Fig. 12).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 12.]

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(5.) +An Outside Clinch+, as may be inferred from its name, is formed in a similar manner, but the end _c_ is brought round on top, that is, away from the bight (Fig. 13). It is used in cases where it is essential that the end should not be in a position to jam, but always ready for slipping at a moment's notice, as in securing cable ends, etc.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 13.]

(6). +A Buntline Hitch+ (an alternative method of securing buntlines to a sail) is commenced as in making an outside clinch, but instead of putting on a seizing, take a longer end _c_, pa.s.s it over _y_, bring up through bight _b_, and tuck the end again over part _y_ and through the last loop formed, so that the end _c_ lies close to the commencement of part _z_ (Fig. 14).

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[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 14.]

(7). +A Bowline+.--Reverting to our original loop (Fig. 8), first taking part _z_ in the right hand with _y_ in the left, throw a loop over _c_, the end, as in Fig. 15.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 15.]

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