Page 107 - The New Encyclopedia of Knots

figure 75

Heaving line bend: used to bend the heaving line to the warp; this is quite simply a bight formed in the
end of the mooring warp, with the heaving line passed through it and racked back and forth across its

two parts, finally being pulled tight and finished off with a half hitch (figure 75).

Heaving line knot: tied in the throwing end of the heaving line, to provide the necessary weight to
enable the line to be thrown accurately, yet soft enough not to cause the recipient any damage.

First form two bights in the end of the rope to form an ‘S’, and take the end through the first bight
before taking a turn around the two parts of the first bight (figure 76.1). Follow this with about five

turns around all parts and finish by taking the end out through the eye of the second bight (figure
76.2). Pull tight on the standing part to complete the knot.

figure 76.1

figure 76.2

Hemp: an old type of natural vegetable fibre rope, and the strongest. Although it weathers badly this
can be countered by tarring the rope. Italian tarred hemp is traditionally regarded as the best
available. Large quantities of hemp also came from Russia until the mid-1800s, when it was replaced
by Manila hemp. This was itself replaced by man-made fibres after the Second World War. Some

specialist shops are still able to provide small quantities of Manila hemp.

Highwayman’s cutaway see highwayman’s hitch.

Highwayman’s hitch or highwayman’s cutaway: as you might expect from its name, this is a slippery
hitch, supposedly designed for the rapid release of a horse’s tether by fleeing robbers.

Form a bight in the rope and pass it up behind the post. Now pull the standing part up in front of the
post and between the bight at the back. This will form another bight, through which the working end is