Bends Knots

Splices.

Short Splice (fig. 2-N). The strands at the end of each rope are unlaid, married and tucked through the lay of the other rope, over one Atrand and under the next, two or three times each way. To render the splice neater the strands should be trimmed down to two-thirds their original size before being tucked under for the second time, and to one-third their original size before the last tuck.

Eye Splice (fig. 2-0). The strands at the end of a rope are brought back on the body of the rope at such a distance as to give an eye of the size wanted. The unlaid strands are then tucked through the strands of the rope (which are opened out by a spike), in the manner shown in the figure. They are then trimmed and tucked again, trimmed and tucked a third time, passing over one strand and under the next, as in the case of a short splice. Sailmaker's Eye Splice (fig. 2-P). Used in the roping of sails. Continues the original lay of the rope around the eye.

Cut Splice and Horseshoe Splice. Similar to an eye splice but made out of two pieces of rope ; therefore with two splices. In a horseshoe splice the part of one rope between the two splices is much shorter than the corresponding part of the other.

Long Splice (fig. 2-Q). The ropes are unlaid for a considerable distance and their ends brought together with strands interlacing. One strand of each rope is then unlaid for a further distance and the vacant space filled by the adjacent part of the other rope. The splice is thus practically divided into three parts; at each the two strands are halved, knotted and turned in twice. Chain Splice (fig. 2-R). For splicing a rope to a chain.

Shroud Knot (fig. 2-S). Used when shrouds or stays are broken. A stop is passed at such distance from each end of the broken shroud as to afford strands of sufficient length. The strands are then unlaid, the parts married as if to make a short splice, and a wall knot formed in each, as shown in the figure. After the knot has been well stretched the ends are tapered, laid smoothly between the strands of the shroud, and firmly served over.

Seizings.

These are used to lash together spars, ropes or parts of the same rope. Various types of seizings are illustrated in fig. 2-T. With heavy ropes, where power is necessary to heave the parts together, some such device as a Spanish Windlass (fig.

2-U), may be employed. The marlinspike, which may act as a lever, is attached to the rope of the windlass by a Marlinspike Hitch, as shown in the figure.

Miscellaneous.

There are various ways of securing blocks to ropes. One simple method is to splice an eye of suitable size at one end of the rope. The eye is passed over the end of the block and held in position by a round seizing clapped on close under the block. A single strap is made by joining the ends of a rope by a short splice. The strap is passed over the end of the block and secured by a seizing, as in the previous case. An iron thimble with a hook is frequently strapped to a block. When this is done the strap is reeved through the eye of the hook and over the groove of the thimble. A seizing is clapped on between the thimble and the block.

Grommet Strap. Made from a single strand of somewhat more than three times the length of the circumference of the strap. Lay one end of the strand over the standing part to form a ring, then with the long end follow the lay of the rope until the ring becomes three-stranded. Split the ends, knot two of the halves together so that the knot will fall in the lay of the rope, cut off the remaining halves, and tuck the knotted halves under the lay of the rope, as in finishing a long splice.

Selvagee Strap. This is a pliable strap used for clapping a tackle on gear, etc. It is made by winding rope yarns around two or more pegs placed at suitable distances from one another, until a strap of the desired stoutness has been obtained. The yarns are then secured together by half hitching with marline.

Sennit (fig. 2-V). Made by plaiting together three rope yarns. It makes a flat lashing, or gasket.

Worming a rope consists in winding spun yarn between the strands, following the lay of the rope (fig. 2-W). This helps to keep out the moisture and renders the surface of the rope smooth for parcelling. Parcelling consists in winding a strip of tarred canvas spirally around the rope, as a further protection from the wet. Serving consists in wrapping small stuff snugly over the parcelling. Ordinarily a serving mallet is used for hauling each turn taut. Various methods for fastening tackle to barrels, casks, etc., are illustrated in fig. 2-X.