Page 295 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

1619. The name SLIPPERY HITCH is given in the anonymous V 0-

cabulary of Sea Phrases (1799), and Norie (1802) speaks of the

"SLIPPERING HITCH." On shipboard the knot is seldom called for, but

in small boats, especially open boats that are easily capsizable, the

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necessity frequently arises for instant casting off, and the SLIPPERY

1·"',(, ......
HITCH is found indispensable. A whaleboat's halyards as well as sheets

are always secured with them, since a SLIPPED KNOT admit!> of casting

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• off without first removing the load.
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1620. The former knot is the SLIPPERY HITCH. This one is called

a SLIPPERY PIN HITCH, and is for the same purpose.

1621. A SLIPPERY HITCH may be applied to a cleat as illustrated.

On small boats the cleat takes the place of the belaying pin.

1622. A SLIPPERY HITCH to a thumb cleat. In this manner thfl jib

sheets of small boats are often secured.

1623. A slipped turn on a cleat is often confused with the SLIPPERY

HITCH.

\62.S 1&16 1624. A clothesline cleat of galvanized iron. The acute angle of
1&2.4

the horn pinches the line enough to hold it taut while the turns arr

being added.

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- 1625. A composite cleat with iron standard and wooden horns;
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• the date is around 1875 .

1626. A pinch cleat is designed to grip a rope instantly and hold

it without rendering until turns can be added. In various patterns

they are found on small racing boats, in stage scenery, etc., wherever

quick handling is required.

1627. A common commercial galvanized iron cleat for awnings,
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• • clotheslines, etc.
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• 1628. A shroud or rigging cleat is shown by Lever in 1808. It is
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• scored for three seizings, which are to be snaked.

• 1629. The modern shroud or rigging cleat is similar in shape but
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• - • 0 is made of galvanized iron or bronze.

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• 1630. A mast cleat, that is shown by Lever, has a score for the
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• , 6~O A
• • seizing and a long hole through which the under turns are laid.
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• • .. .
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, • When these have been tightly applied, crossing turns are added
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.. ..
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• through two round holes, which tightens or fraps the seizing and

holds the cleat snugly to the mast. The crossing turns may be snaked.

162.~

1631. The horns of an old-fashioned cleat were more curved than

those in common use today.

16'3' U.33 Screws are a nineteenth-century invention and cleats of an early

date were nailed or, occasionally, bolted. Nails should be shellacked,

, dried and well toed when driven.
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• 1632. This cleat is copied from Roding (1795). The nails are ex-
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, ceedingly long and were not toed.

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• 1633. A horn cleat from the davit tackles of the 'bark Sunbeam.
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• The specimen was eighteen inches in length. The upper horn is
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- made long in order to hold the turns of a large coil.
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- 1634. An anvil cleat for the halyards of a small yacht.
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- 1635. On small craft, where decks are always crowded, deck cleats,
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if they are used at all, should have wide flat tops. These are much

easier on the feet than upturned horns. Moreover the horns should

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