Page 43 - Frank Rosenow "Seagoing Knots"

Crio in the eastern Mediterranean. Omitting the rudder stock, it converts
to a clove hitch.
You may say that a clove hitch is a jamming form of two half hitches. It
follows that if a clove hitch is taken around a bollard of great girth, it will
not jam effectively and becomes unreliable, unless secured with half
hitches on the standing part. But even around a ring, I would add the half
hitches for peace of mind.
A use well suited to the clove hitch by itself is shown in the view of the
permaba’s mainmast and shrouds. To rattle down, that is, lashing the rat¬
lines to the shrouds to make a convenient ladder aloft—the clove hitch is
ideal, holding tight over the small girth of the individual shroud.
A strong case could be made for reviving “ratline hitch,” a traditional

name for the clove hitch that has sunk into oblivion. It is both colorful and
descriptive of proper use.

KNOTS
3 9