Knots, Bends, Splices Part 2

(3). +A Sheep Shank+ is used for shortening a rope. Gather up the amount desired in the form of Fig. 42.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 42.]

Then with parts _a_ and _b_ form a half hitch round the two parts of the bight as in Fig. 43.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 43.]

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To render it still more dependable, the bight _a_ and _b_ may be seized or toggled to the standing parts as in Figs. 44 and 45.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 44. Fig. 45.]

(4). +A Catspaw+ is formed in a rope to make a temporary loop for hooking on the block of a tackle. First throw back a bight as in Fig.

46.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 46.]

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Then taking hold of _a_ and _b_ in either hand twist them up as in Fig.

47; bring together the two eyes _a_ and _b_ and hook in the tackle.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 47.]

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KNOTS, BENDS, AND HITCHES FOR UNITING ROPES.

(1). +A Reef Knot+.--The simplest of all knots, and is always used when a common tie is required. Its formation may be easily traced in Figs. 48, 49, 50. Having constructed the knot as far as Fig. 48, be sure part _a_ is kept in front of part _b_ as here shown, and the end _c_ led in according to the direction of the dotted line.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 48. Fig. 49. Fig. 50.]

(2). +A Common Bend or Sheet Bend+.--In making a bend the ends of the two ropes are not used simultaneously as in forming a reef knot, but an eye or loop is first formed in the end of one of the ropes as in Fig.

51, and the other rope's end is then rove through it in various ways according to the bend desired.

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[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 51.]

To form a Sheet Bend, pa.s.s the second rope's end underneath the eye at point _a_ and bring up through the loop, then form with it a half hitch round _c_ and _b_ (Fig. 52).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 52.]

It will hold still better and is less likely to jamb if the end _c_ is pa.s.sed round again as in Fig. 53.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 53.]

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(3). For bending two hauling lines together use a +Carrick Bend+.

First form with hawser No. 1 a loop as in Fig. 54.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 54.]

Pa.s.s the second hawser under the first at _a_, bring up through the eye _b_, back it over the cross at _c_, and bring up again towards you through the eye _b_, and then stop the ends of each hawser to their own respective parts (Fig. 55).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 55.]

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(4). _A Double Carrick Bend_ is formed in precisely a similar manner, but a complete round turn is taken around the cross of the first hawser at _c_, and then led up again through the eye _b_ and finished off as before (Fig. 56).

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 56.]

(5). +A Diamond Knot+ formed by the two ends of a rope is really a fancy knot. It is often made with Hambro' line in forming lanyards for marline-spikes, knives, etc. It is a pretty knot and very easily made.

First lay one of the cords in a loop shaped as in Fig. 57.

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Notice carefully how this loop is lettered, and then, taking up the second cord, lay it under the loop at _a_, straight along also under the loop at _b_, now bring it over the first cord at _c_ and under it at _d_ and over it at _e_, then dip it under its own part now lying between _a_ and _b_, and lead it over the first cord at _f_.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 57.]

The knot, still in an unfinished state, will now appear as in Fig. 58.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 58.]

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Now lead the ends in the direction indicated by the dotted lines (taking care beforehand that you have them sufficiently long for the purpose), and bring them both up through the opening _a_. Bring the two standing parts _b_ and _c_ together, and gradually render all parts in turn to work up the knot as tight as possible, when it will appear as in Fig. 59.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 59.]

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KNOTS FORMED ON ROPES BY THEIR OWN STRANDS.

Although our next series of knots are generally known as "fancy knots"

they are by no means merely ornamental, many of them playing important parts in the standing rigging of a s.h.i.+p.