CHAPTER V.

TIES AND LASHINGS.

A “wedding knot” or tie, used for fastening together the eyes at the ends of two ropes, is shown by Fig. 70. It is made by passing rope-yarn or marline through the eyes backwards and forwards until strong enough, and then is fastened by taking several turns round the middle and fastening the ends with a reef knot. This forms a sort of hinge between the ropes.

Illustration.
Fig. 70.—Wedding Knot.
Illustration.
Fig. 71.—Chain Knot Lashed to Spar.

The “chain knot,” for lashing to a spar is illustrated by Fig. 71; a clove-hitch is first formed round the spar, and as many single hitches as required are then made. It may be finished off with any secure knot. Fig. 72 shows another and better way of making the chain knot. An overhand knot is formed at each turn, and consequently it is much more secure than Fig. 71. This is used for bending yachts’ sails to the gaff. As each turn forms a knot if the cord parts, the remainder holds firm, and does not necessarily come adrift, as it would be almost sure to do it if fastened as in Fig. 71.

Illustration.
Fig. 72.—Improved Chain Knot.
Illustration.
Fig. 73.—Cross Lashing.

Fig. 73 is a “cross lashing,” employed when a lever is used to a rope. After several turns round the rope, the lashing is crossed round the lever and fastened with a reef knot. All these lashings are used when several men are required to haul on large ropes at the same time.

For the “necklace tie” (Fig. 74) several turns are taken round the spar to be joined, then two turns round the lashings, and it is secured with a reef knot. When this is used as a lashing for shearlegs, the crossing of the two legs puts a strain on the knot, and effectually secures it. For this purpose it is called a Portuguese knot.

Fig. 75 shows a “packing knot,” used for securing large pieces of timber together. It is used near stone quarries for holding the blocks of stone on to the carriages by which they are moved. Fig. 75 represents a block of granite secured to a trolley with packing knots. Two or three turns are made somewhat loosely with cordage round the block and its carriage; a stout piece of wood is then inserted under the coils, and twisted round until all the slack is taken out and the cordage is taut. The end of the lever is then secured with twine to the side of the carriage, as shown in the right side of the figure. The other lashing is supposed to be all ready for tautening up.

Illustration.
Fig. 74.—Necklace Tie.
Illustration.
Fig. 75.—Packing Knot.

It is often necessary to lash two things together without showing an external knot, which would spoil the smoothness and neatness of the work—as, for instance, in whipping the two parts of a broken fishing-rod together. Fig. 76 shows a common method of finishing off whipping without showing a knot. Lay one end forward, as at A, then pass the other end round and round a sufficient number of times, hauling taut each time; three or four loose turns are now made, and the end passed under them backwards; these are worked down into their places, and when the ends are hauled taut and cut off the job is completed. The end A need not come so far as shown in Fig. 76, but may be hidden under the coils.

Illustration.
Fig. 76.—Finishing off Whipping.

Fig. 77 is another method of accomplishing the purpose. Instead of a single end, as in the last case, a bight of the seizing stuff is laid along the part to be whipped, and the turns passed over it; when these are completed the end is passed through the bight, as at A. The end B is now hauled upon to bring the bight and the end of the rope snug under the coils. There are now two loops interlacing at the centre of the work, and these cannot come undone. When the ends A and B are cut off close to the turns, the whole is fair and smooth.

Illustration.
Fig. 77.—Finishing off Whipping.

“Nippering,” or “packing,” is shown in Fig. 78. This is a method of securing two ropes together with cross turns; these are hauled taut, jamming the ropes together, and are further secured by round turns over all, with a reef knot at the ends.

The “west country whipping” (Fig. 79) is an excellent method, and deserves to be practised oftener than it is. Bring the middle of the material used under the part to be whipped, raise the ends and tie an overhand knot, lower the ends and tie another underneath; continue tying a single knot above and below alternately, finishing with a reef knot; or a round turn or two may be taken and the ends may then be secured; but a reef knot is the most usual way of fastening off this whipping. This is not quite so neat-looking a method as Figs. 76 and 77, but it is very strong and trustworthy, and is an excellent way of fastening large hooks, such as those used for cod or conger, on to a line.

Illustration.
Fig. 78.—Nippering.
Illustration.
Fig. 79.—West Country Whipping.

Illustration.
Fig. 80.—Catspaw.
Illustration.
Fig. 81.—Beginning Catspaw.

A “catspaw” (Fig. 80) is used for attaching a rope to a tackle hook. Fig. 81 shows how to begin it. A loop is made, and laid over the standing part so as to form two bights; these are rolled over two or three times, and the hook inserted in them. When the standing part is hauled upon, the hooks take the form shown in Fig. 71 (p. 59), and will not slip.

Illustration.
Fig. 82.—Securing Block to Rope.

Fig. 82 shows a way of securing a block to a rope with a selvage strop. The middle of the selvage is placed against the rope, and cross turns taken until the bights come together, when the loop of the block is put through them.