Page 324 - The Ashley Book of Knots

HOOKS, BECKETS, AND TOGGLES

1888. The SINGLE CAT'S-PAW. After winding, as pictured, the two

ends of the coil should be twisted in opposite directions and hooked

to the cargo block.

1889. The COW HITCH is sometimes found on a hook. If used at

1888

all, the end should be left long.

1890. The RING HITCH is similar in form to the Cow HITCH. It

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may be tied in slings and straps, where it will serve well, as both

parts are pulled on equally.

1891. The CAT'S-PAW is the common HOOK HITCH for slings. It is

the same basic form as the BALE SLING HITCH but has additional

twists. Brady says "two or three altogether," and Steel, who men- 18

tioned the name in 1794, says "three twists." It is the best of all SLING

HITCHES and is often recommended for a slippery rope. But no hitch

can slip when tied in a slings since it has no ends. All that is

needed is a hitch that cannot jam, and this requirement the CAT'S-

PAW fills admirably. The knot spills instantly when removed from

the hook. It is the hitch always used for heavy lifts. Occasionally 1891

it has been called the RACKING HITCH, being confused with the knot 18 90

that follows (7j.i 1892), which nowadays is seldom seen.

To tie the CAT'S-PAW in cargo slings: Grasp two bights and hold

them well apart. Twist three full turns with both hands (away from

you), then clap the bights together and place them over the hook. 1892

1892. The RACKING HITCH is similar to the CAT'S-PAW, the differ-

ence being that the two bights are twisted in opposite directions.

Steel (1794) says that the RACKING HITCH is used for shortening

slings, a purpose which the CAT'S-PAW also serves.

1893. "Vherever any HOOK HITCH is to be used for a series of lifts,

or the same load is to be slacked away and relifted, the hook should

be moused. Middle a short piece of marline, take a number of turns

around the shank and bill of the hook. Cross the two ends of mar-

line at the center and serve each end a short distance away from each

other, then add riding turns back again to the center and square

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knot the two ends together.

1894. To shorten slings. A method shown to me by Captain Dan-

iel F. Mullins. After a BALE HITCH has been put around the object

to be lifted, extend the slack in two long equal bights. Half knot

the two bights and clap them together over the hook.

1895. The CRow's-FoOT serves a similar purpose. After the knot is

formed the two loops may be pulled out to any required length to

take up the superfluous material.

1896. A selvagee strap and toggle is considered the best way of

hooking to a lanyard in setting up rigging. The method does not

injure the lanyard, which, if old, has lost much of its pliancy.

1897. A hook and eye. A common way of hooking a block to a

pendant. The hook should be moused.

1898. HOOK AND STOPPER KNOT. I have seen the traces or tug ropes

in horse harness so fitted, and also a hammock slung by similar 'ett'

means.

1899. This method of lashing a hook block to a shroud is given

by Admiral Nares. The standing end of a single strap takes a round

turn down the lay of the shroud. Then the shank of the hook is

seized with five or six ground turns and three or four riders, and the

end is laid up the rope and square knotted to the standing end.

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