Page 94 - The Ashley Book of Knots

SINGLE-STRAND STOPPER OR TERMINAL KNOTS

518. An OVERHAND KNOT, tied in a doubled end, makes a bulky

STOPPER KNOT that is sometimes put in the gut strings of a musical

instrument. In construction this knot does not differ from Loop KNOT

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519. The OVERHAND KNOT is repeated here as the basic knot for

another series of a different character, the second of this series being

the FIGURE-EIGHT KNOT and the fourth the STEVEDORE KNOT.

To make the OVERHAND KNOT: First make a turn and then reeve

the end through the turn as pictured.

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520. The FIGURE-EIGHT or FIGURE-oF-EIGHT KNOT is also called

(in books) the FLEMISH KNOT. The name FIGURE-OF-EIGHT KNOT

appears in Lever's Sheet AnchoT; or, a Key to Rigging (London,

1808). The word .of nowadays is usually omitted. The knot is the

sailor's common SINGLE-STRAND STOPPER KNOT and is tied in the ends

of tackle falls and running rigging, unless the latter is fitted with

MONKEY'S TAILS. It is used about ship wherever a temporary STOPPER

KNOT is required. The FIGURE-EIGHT is much easier to untie than the

OVERHAND, it does not have the same tendency to jam and so injure

the fiber, and is larger, stronger, and equally secure.

To tie (for this series): Twist the bight pictured in the upper left

diagram ('/I: 5 19) a half turn to the left, and stick the end as pictured

here in the middle diagram.

521. An INTERMEDIATE KNOT between the FIGURE-EIGHT KNOT

and the STEVEDORE KNOT ('/I: 522). Take the center diagram of the

FIGURE-EIGHT KNOT and give it one additional half twist, then stick

the end as pictured. This knot is seldom seen, and when it is tied it is

generally by mistake, the intention having been to tie a STEVEDORE

KNOT, which follows.
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522. The STEVEDORE KNOT prevents the end of a cargo fall from

unreeving; the cargo block, having larger shivs than the ordinary

tackle aboard ship, requires a bulky knot. The bight is given one more

half turn than in the former knot, before the end is finally stuck.

523. DOUBLE FIGURE-EIGHT KNOT. There are several ways of

doubling the FIGURE-E'GHT K~OT, this one being perhaps the one

most frequently seen. The number of racking turns may be increased

as desired. A more symmetrical DOUBLE FIGURE-EIGHT, that is a little 52.2.

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more complicated, will be found in the next chapter, on SINGLE-

STRAND LANYARD KNOTS.

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