Page 20 - Des Pawson "Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices"
P. 20
Equipment
Hemp is a natural fiber obtained from Sisal is a rope-making fiber derived
the stem of the plant Cannabis sativa. It from Agave sisalana, a cactus-type
has been used to make cordage of all plant from Central America. It is weaker
sorts for hundreds of years. Hemp than Manila or hemp and requires
makes one of the strongest natural-fiber treating with chemicals to make it
ropes, but it does have a tendency to rot waterproof and rot-resistant. First
if left wet for a long period of time, so exported from a port on the Yucatan
in the past it was frequently tarred. This peninsula that sounded like Sisal, it is
slightly reduced its strength but greatly now grown in many parts of the world
extended its life. Supplies of rope made as a low-cost cordage fiber used to
from this material are rare today. make rope, small twines, and string.
Manila is a fiber obtained from the Coir is derived from the outer part of
wild banana plant, Musa textilis, and the coconut. It has been used as
was introduced from the Philippines at cordage for centuries in the Indian sub¬
the beginning of the nineteenth centu¬ continent. It is not very strong but is
ry. The word “hemp” had become light, so large ropes or cables can be
synonymous with rope fiber and the made. In fact, it is the only natural rope
place of origin was used to describe the that will float. It is fairly resistant to rot
quality—for example, St. Petersburg in salt water. When made up into a
hemp, Riga hemp, Italian hemp—all rope it has a high degree of stretch, so
Pocket Guide to Knots & Splices
from the cannabis plant. When this was used in the past as tow ropes and
new rope fiber was introduced from even mooring ropes as the stretch
the Philippines it was called “Manila reduced the strain put upon the ship as
hemp,” giving rise to some confusion. it jerked about. When used in the West,
This ropemaking material proved to be rope made from Coir was sometimes
as strong as real hemp and was more referred to as “Bass” or “Grass” rope.
resistant to rot, so rarely needed to be
tarred. Manila rope is still being made, Cotton is also used for making
and exported from the Philippines cordage, mainly small ropes and
today, although sadly the quality is not twines, and, because it can be spun so
what it was 70 or more years ago. finely, it is especially good for making
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