Page 287 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

1575. A SHROUD KNOT superficially resembling the DOUBLE WALL

KNOT is built up from an ENGLISH SHROUD KNOT base. First tie KN01

Ih 565. Withdraw each lower strand in turn and stick it, as indicated

by the arrow, under two parallel bights. This knot is less apt to dis-

tort than '# I 570, which it resembles in appearance.

1576. A SHROUD KNOT superficially resembling the STOPPER KNOT

is also based on the ENGLISH SHROUD KNOT. Each lower strand is car-
15'1S'

ried beyond one upper end to the left, before sticking down under

the same part from which it was earlier removed, passing under three

parts in all.

1577. A DOUBLE SHROUD KNOT. Bushell (1854) recommends that

"strands be tucked without doubling," which indicates that a

DOUBLE SHROUD KNOT of some sort was used in his period. This is

not to be confused with the ENGLISH SHROUD KNOT ('# 1565), for

that consists of two separate knots, instead of a single knot that is

doubled. First tie '# 1571. Then pass each lower end to the right,

parallel with and under the next adjacent lower bight, then up under

IS. " two upper bights. At this point there will be two ends issuing from

under each upper bight. Lead the lower one of each of these pairs

downward, following the established lead, and tuck out at the stem

under two parallel bights.

1578. Another DOUBLE FRENCH SHROUD KNOT is based on '# 1574.

Marry two rope ends and, holding the structure vertically and with-

out shifting the grip, crown the upper strands to the right and wall

the lower strands in the same direction. Tuck each lower end once

to the right, following below the upper crown; next tuck each end

of the original crown once parallel with and below the bight which

issues from the same compartment. This brings all ends out at the

IS" 1 1

middle cross section of the knot. Stick all up-pointing ends to the

top stem under four bights (right arrow) and stick all down-pointing

ends to the lower stem under two bights (left arrow).

Directions are often given in old seamanship books to tie SHROUD

KNOTS left-handed. This, I think, may have reference to cable-laid

shrouds, which are, of course, left-handed. SHROUD KNOTS are com-

monly wormed and served, and if tied against the lay the strands

would lie in the wrong direction for worming. In general it may be

said that all MULTI-STRAND KNOTS should be tied with the lay, unless

for a good and specific reason. Sailors, like other people, are apt

to do things the easiest way, which for a left-handed sailor would

be "against the lay" of plain-laid rope.

1579. To shroud knot two ends that have an unequal number of

strands: With three- and four-strand rope the most practical way is