Page 28 - Knots, Splices and Rope Work: A Practical Treatise

until the knot is complete.

The simplest of all
shortenings consists of a
loop taken in the rope with
the bights seized to the

standing part (Fig. 76). This
is particularly well adapted
to heavy rope or where a
shortening must be made
quickly.

Fig. 77 shows another
very simple shortening,

which requires no
description. This will not
withstand a very great strain
but is secure from untying
by accident and is very
useful for taking up

spare rope of lashings
on bundles or baggage.

“Sheepshanks,” or
“Dogshanks,” are widely
used for shortening rope,
especially where both

ends are fast, as they can
be readily made in the
centre of a tied rope.
There are several forms
of these useful knots.

The best and most
secure form is shown in

Fig. 78. A simple running knot is first made; a bend is pushed through the loop, which is
then drawn taut; the other end of the bend is fastened in a similar manner and the
shortening is complete.