Page 272 - The Ashley Book of Knots

BENDS

When we come to consider hawsers and cables we are confronted

with a new factor. The material is heavy and inflexible and the bend

must take its form correctly and inevitably while under strain, as

it cannot be worked into shape by hand alone. It also must untie

easily, as the force that a man can bring to bear is relatively small and

a marlingspike is apt to break the fiber of a wet rope.

The CARRICK BEND, when under stress, pulls up into easy loops,

which may be readily opened with a few light taps from a belaying

pin, tid, or other implement. It may be watersoaked indefinitely,

and even then it will not jam.

Sometimes the CARRICK BEND is illustrated with the ends both on

one side (~1428) instead of diagonally opposite, but this is not so

secure. At sea it is tied as shown here.

Lescallier gives the knot by name in 1783.

1440. The SINGLE CARRICK BEND (SHEET BEND # 1431). Almost

every knot that can be conformed to the CARRICK BEND diagram, and

that has a different over-and-under from the regular CARRICK BEND,

has at one time or another been termed the SINGLE CARRICK BEND. 1\"ot

one of these, however, has the desirable features of the TRUE CARRICK

BEND (#1439). (See table, page 273.) Riesenberg's Standard Seamanship

I 440 I 4:14'

gives the CARRICK BEND correctly.

1441.· A REEF KNOT (#1402). As these so-called SINGLE CARRICK

BENDS are always seized, their true character is generally obscured.

Several nautical authorities have even given the· REEF KNOT labeled

CARRICK BEND.

1442. Du Clairbois has gone so far as to give the GRANNY KNOT.

With such a bend there is little between the sailor and eternity save

the seizings. But the three that have just been shown and commented

on are superior to what is to follow.

1443. This SINGLE CARRICK BEND, as shown by Brady, Luce, 14 43

Alston, and others, slipped and spilled in mohair yarn with an \

average of 4.5 jerks. It is among the poorest of all the bends tested.

(See page 273.)

1444. Another SINGLE CARRICK BEND, that is frequently published,

slipped with an average of 4.6 jerks, very ilightly better than ~ 1443.

1445. But here is the worst SINGLE CARRICK BEND, shown by

Knight, Nares, Todd and Whall, Henderson, etc. It slipped with an

average of 2.6 jerks. Only one of all the other knots tested was worse

than this. Yet it is recommended for towing and is said not to jam.

Of course it was always seized.

All the so-called SINGLE CARRICK BENDS without seizings proved 14 4 ~

to be wonhless, or worse. The fact that they ever appeared in print

in the first place may be due to a blind faith in the CARRICK BEND

diagram, and the fact that they have survived must be due to the

fact that anything at all, even the WHATNOT, will hold if well seized.

But the danger is always imminent that some poor unfortunate may

tie one without adding seizings.

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