Page 323 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

1875. The BLACKWALL HITCH is given by Steel in 1794. It is used

in setting up rigging when the lanyard is short, but is never quite safe

unless the rope is large enough to nearly fill the mouth of the hook.

It should never be tied to a cargo block.

1876. The DOUBLE BLACKW ALL HITCH has one more turn and is

often recommended as preferable to the former knot. It appears,

, 18 76 I 7 however, to be even less reliable. The second turn is sometimes

jammed below the first in the manner of the AWNING KNOT, but this

appears to be no improvement.

1877. The HALF HITCH, tied with the nip at the top with the end

leading back through the hook, is secure if it is carefully adjusted

before each fresh hoist.

1878. The STUNNER HITCH is somewhat similar to the common

DOUBLE BLACKWALL HITCH but the second turn is taken above the

eye of the hook. Bushell, Knight and other nautical authorities

ascrihe this name, but it is also called DOUBLE BLACKW ALL HITCH,

the true DOUBLE BLACKW ALL HITCH being seldom used. This one

appears to be no better than ~ 1876.

I~ 76 I 81 ~ 1879. The BILL HITCH is the same form as the BECKET HITCH and

is sometimes called by that name. It is secure if the rope fills the hook

snugly. It may be made by tying a MARLINGSPIKE HITCH and then

lifting the bight at the back so that it encompasses both the bill and

neck of the hook.

1880. The MARLINGSPIKE HITCH "is used for the hook of a tackle,

to any rope where a smart pull is required," according to the Manual

of the Sea (1891).

If tied loosely, the MARLINGSPIKE HITCH will generally draw up to

have a double bearing. In this form it is secure and easy to loosen.

, o 1881. The MARLINGSPIKE HITCH will also on occasion take the

18 1682.

form of the FARMER'S NOOSE HITCH (~1825). In this form it is given

in the French EncyclopMie Mhhodique Marine, of 1783 by Vial

du Clairbois. It may be formed by extending the loop of the MAR-

LINGSPIKE HITCH, or it may be tied directly as pictured. Nares says,

"This is used to hook an up and down tackle to a luff tackle fall."

1882. The BOWLINE WITH A BIGHT is employed "for heavy pulls on

the ends of rigging Luffs," according to Luce and Ward (SetrmflTl-

ship, 1884). The second diagram shows the knot turned "end for

end" and suspended from a hook.

1883. A ROUND TURN AND Two HALF HITCHES. Any HOOK HITCH

, 2 I ~3 I v.:ith a double bearing is stronger than one that passes through the

hook but once.

1884. A ROLLING HITCH is less apt to jam than the former knot

and is exceptionally strong.

1885. The FISHERMAN'S BEND is strong and will not jam. These

last three hitches are found on hooks in running rigging when it is

not necessary for them to spill on removal, and where they are al-

ways moused.

1886. This is the SINGLE lIOOK linCH mentioned on page 3 I 3 (see

also PILE IIITCH, # 1815). 'I{) tie: Double back the end and twist it with

the lay. Lay the doubled rope through the hook from front to back,

, 6 7 hring it around the back of the hook and drop the loop over the hill of

the hook. Pull taut and crowd all parts well down into the mouth of

the hook.

1887. The CLOVE HITCH is sometimes used for a HOOK HITCH.

Although it is apt to have an initial slip it is convenient.

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