Page 82 - Frank Rosenow "Seagoing Knots"

The Anchor Bend

Harry Summers, formerly a Popular Mechanics subscriber of Norfolk,
Virginia, had anchored Nerissa somewhat perilously on the exposed side of
Leros Bay. Yet his fair-haired little daughter (the original Nerissa) played

unconcernedly on deck and the boat presented a picture of tranquil
domesticity. A nautical eye might have faulted the lack of gaff and boom
on the Turkish-built craft, but not the snug arrangements. Harry explained
the missing gear:
“We discarded the boom after a few years to get rid of weight and clear
the deck and then, since the gaff and heavy cotton sails still proved
unwieldy, the gaff went too, whereupon there was no need for sails.
“We were aiming to go down the African coast but be it for lack of sail or
whatever, we came only as far as Port Said.”

Having discarded much of the gear aloft, Harry did pay attention to his
ground tackle, using heavy cable securing his anchor line with a knot that I
recognized from Uncle Emil’s time.
It was called the “flaggband” (the flag bend) and was in favor on the
island for bending on the national flag. It had the reputation of a very reli¬
able knot.
It is shown tied around the anchor flukes merely to show the configura¬
tion rather than for any nautical motivation.
“Snug it up good, and it won’t fail,” said Harry, going back to his P.M.
collection below.

SEAGOING KNOTS