Page 83 - The Ashley Book of Knots
P. 83
THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS
452. SAFETY-BELT HITCH. After a steeple has been climbed, the
steeplejack's life belt is secured to a separate life line by a knot that
is based on the MAGNUS or ROLLING HITCH, but the STEEPLEJACK'S
KNOT has one more turn. It may easily be slid up and down the rope
with the hand, but if the steeplejack should fall it will not slip when
his weight falls on it.
453 453. The "ONE HITCH." His job complete, the steeplejack makes
fast a double line to the steepletop in this manner and removes all
other gear from the steeple, then lowers himself by means of the
"ONE HITCH." This is easily shaken down, after he has reached the
ground.
454. FLAGPOLE SLINGS. With these a man works himself aloft ex-
actly as an inchworm progresses. First he stands on the foot sling
and hitches his chair sling up, then he sits down and lifts the foot
sling. Each sling has a NOOSE which passes around the pole.
455. A BOATSWAIN'S HITCH is used by all trades that go aloft:
painters, ship riggers, steeplejacks, carpenters, and masons. A bight is
ulled forward under the eye seizing, and a half turn of the wrist
orms the SINGLE H!TCH required on the bill of the hook.
The Steveaore
456. The STEVEDORE KNOT is a SINGLE-STRAND STOPPER KNOT tied
in the end of a rope to prevent unreeving.
457. The DOUBLE CAT'S-PAW is the most satisfactory knot to secure
slings to a cargo hook. Another twist may be added if desired.
, 458. HOGSHEAD SLINGS. The left end is rove through a thimble eye,
forming a NOOSE; the ri ht end is secured to the standing part with
Two HALF HITCHES. his is considered safer than em hooks fOI
I
heavy casks.
, 459. To sling an open cask or barrel: Tie a large OVERHAND KNOl
•
('II: 515) in the bight of the rope, lay the knot on the deck or ground,
• 454 arrange it as in the illustration, and place the barrel over the center
of it. Then bring up the ends and bend them together. This forms a
MARLINE HITCH ('II: 3 I 15) at each side of the cask. Another method is
to place the cask over the middle of the rope and tie a HALF KNOT
('II: I 202) across the top. Open the knot at the center and slip it
around the top of the cask. This forms HALF HITCHES at either side
451 of the cask which are perhaps not so secure as the former. A third
way is to place the cask over the center of the rope and then put an
independent SINGLE HITCH ('II: 1594) around the top with each end.
This is the way usually recommended. The two hitches should be
seized together.
The stevedore also uses the SHEEPSHANK ('II: I I 53) for shortening
ropes, the BLACKWALL HITCH ('II: 1875) for hoisting light goods, and
459 the STRAP or BALE SLING HITCH ('II: 1759) for slinging bales, crates,
boxes, and sacks. Small articles are hoisted in cargo nets. Further
stevedore's practices are included in Chapter 28, "Lashings and
Slings."
