Page 67 - Peter Owen - Knots

' ~ SHEEPSHANK

The sheepshank is a seafarer's knot: it does not
chafe, it unties easily, and it has a good
jamming action. It is an easily tied knot, which
holds under tension - in fact, as soon as the
tension is released, the knot falls apart. The
number of half hitches can vary from three to
five, and that number determines both the
fi rmness of the grip of the knot and the length
by which the line is shortened.
In addition to shortening lines without the
need to cut them, the sheepshank is used at sea
for towing boats and on the running rigging. It
can also be used to keep slack lines outof the
way, which could have numerous applications,
including keeping bell ropes tidy. When the
knot is used to shorten a damaged line, it is
important that the damaged section of rope
passes through both of the half hitches.
The Sllaps/lDnk is able to
wry the length ofa rapt to
suit the immediate
requirement wit/lOul hlWing
tocutlheropt!.

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