Page 26 - Knots, Splices and Rope Work: A Practical Treatise

CHAPTER V

SHORTENINGS, GROMMETS, AND SELVAGEES

In many cases a rope may prove too long for our use or the free ends may be awkward, or

in the way. At such times a knowledge of “shortenings” is valuable. There are quite a
variety of these useful knots, nearly all of which are rather handsome and ornamental, in
fact a number of them are in constant use aboard ship merely for ornament.

The simplest form of shortening, shown in Fig.
67, is a variation of the common and simple
overhand knot already described and illustrated.

These knots
are formed

by passing
the end of a
rope twice
or more
times
through the
loop of the

simple knot
and then drawing it tight (Fig. 68). They are known as “Double,” “Treble,” “Fourfold,” or
“Sixfold” knots and are used to prevent a rope from passing through a ring or block as
well as for shortening.

All gradations from the

double to the sixfold are
shown in Fig. 69, both
in process of making
and as they appear when
drawn taut.

Another very simple
form of shortening is shown in Fig. 70 and is known as the “Single Plait,” or “Chain
Knot.” To make this shortening, make a running loop (A, Fig. 70), then draw a bight of the

rope through this loop, as shown at B, draw another bight through this, as at C to D, and
continue in this way until the rope is shortened to the desired length; the free end should
then be fastened by passing a bit of stick through the last loop, F, or by running the free