Page 318 - The Ashley Book of Knots

RING HITCHES

1832, 1833. These two HAMMOCK HITCHES were found on "Cape

Ann hammocks," one from Portland and one from New Bedford.

The Cape Ann hammock is much older than the present trade name

suggests. I have seen a number of them that were made of homesplln.

The knots shown are employed in tying the nettles to the eyelet

holes.

1834. The ROUND TURN AND HALF HITCH is given by Steel as the

proper knot for bending to a stream anchor.

1835. A ROUND TURN AND Two HALF HITCHES is given by both 1832

Biddlecomb and Luce as an ANCHOR BEND. Although often used 1834

without stopping, it is better to add one as it prevents jamming.

1836. Two ROUND TURNS AND Two HALF HITCHES is a very old

and strong hitch that will· never jam. Under the name ROLLING

HITCH it is described by Falconer in 1769.

1837. The ROUND TURN AND REVERSED HITCHES holds about as

well as the ROUND TURN AND Two HALF HITCHES and is easier to

•
untie.

18:18. The ROUND TURN AND BUNTLINE HITCH is snugger than 1836
1835

either Two HALF HITCHES or REVERSED HITCHES; for that reason it

is referred for buntlines and clew lines where the slatting of the 183'1

sai s tends to loosen the knot.

1839. The LOBSTER Buoy HITCH holds about as well as ~ 1838 and

is more easily opened.

1840. The FISHERMAN'S BEND consists of a round turn with a hitch

through the turns and customarily a second hitch that is added

around the standing part. The knot is often illustrated without the

second hitch but is seldom tied in that way. Some find it handier to

tie the knot with overhand turns instead of underhand turns as shown
18~8

here.

1841. The FISHERMAN'S BEND, also called the ANCHOR BEND, is one '840

of the strongest of hitches. Steel gives it as the proper bend for a

kedge anchor. There is no better ANCHOR BEND but in stiff, heavy

cable it is not so easily applied as the ROUND TURN AND Two HALF

HITCHES.

1842. The FISHERMAN'S BEND AND BOWLINE KNOT is probably the

most practical ANCHOR BEND for small craft with anchor warps undoc

three inches in circumference. Beyond this point the cables are gen-

erally of chain.
, 841 '842.

1843. An ANCHOR· BEND from a Htmdbook of Boat Sailing

(Anonymous, London, 1904). A compact knot that is interestingly

related to the FISHERMAN'S BEND.

1844. The OUTSIDE CLINCH is bent to the bower tmchor, according

to Biddlecombe. The British Admiralty Mtmual of Setrmansbip states

that it is used on "any rope you wish to let go smartly." The name

Clinch is given by Boteler in 1685 and the OUTSIDE CLINCH is first 1844

mentioned by Steelin 1794. '843

1845. The INSIDE CLINCH is also mentioned by Steel (1794) and

is pictured by Roding in 1795. Steel gives the INSIDE CLINCH for

bending to a bower anchor. The knot is further used to secure bunt-

lines to the foot of a sail, and to attach bowline bridles to the cringles.

It is not so easily cast off as the OUTSIDE CLINCH, but is safer.

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