Page 292 - The Ashley Book of Knots

CHAPTER 20: BELAYING AND MAKING FAST

I thought I heard the Old Man say,

"Give one more htrUl, and then belay!"

- ..
SEA SHANTY

•

We now leave the discussion of knots proper to consider the

subject of hitches. A hitch is a complication that secures a rope to

another object, generally of a different nature. But this is not neces-

sarily so, since the object may be another rope, provided the hitch

is made entirel with the active rope, and the second rope remains

inactive. The rst variety of hitch to be discussed will be hitches to

pegs, cleats, belaying pins, bitts, kevels and timberheads.

To belay is to take one or more S turns around one of the several

objects, just named, which are to be pictured in this chapter.

To make fast is to secure these turns by adding a SINGLE HITCH

over the belaying turns.

The SINGLE HITCH (~1594) should not be confused with either

the SLIPPERY HITCH (~1620) or the HALF HITCH (~1662). It con-

sists of a single turn around an object with the end laid under its own

standing part.

This holds the end against the object.

The SLIPPERY HITCH is similar, but a bight instead of the end is

tucked under the standing part.

The HALF HITCH (~166 2) consists of a SINGLE HITCH made with

an end around its own standing part. The SINGLE HITCH (~1594) is

one half of a CLOVE HITCH (~I 178), while the HALF HITCH (~I 662 )

~ one half of Two HALF HITCHES (~17 10). The SINGLE HITCH spills

when removed from its object, while the HALF HITCH, upon re-

moval, pulls up into an OVERHAND KNOT (~5 I 5). The CLOVE HITCH

spills upon removal, while Two HALF I-I ITCHES capsizes into a GRANNY

KNOT (#3).