Page 325 - The Ashley Book of Knots
P. 325
THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS
1901 1900. Any hitch that is attached to an EYE SPLICE becomes a
BECKET HITCH, but this is the BECKET HITCH, proper. In form it is
similar to the SHEET BEND. But the end is bent to an eye instead of
a loop. The name BECKET HITCH was applied by Nares in 1860.
1901. The SWAB HITCH is of similar construction. Customarily a
dog's point is spliced in the end of a swab lanyard so that the end
of the SWAB HITCH may be short. This adds greatly to the security
of the hitch. When not in use, lanyards are removed and swabs are
often suspended to dry along the end of the mainstay at the fore-
castle head. New swabs are frequently four to six feet long. On small
craft the lanyards may be long enough to admit dipping overboard.
But on large craft they are dipped in a tub at the waist, which is kept
filled by one or more draw buckets.
, 'loS'
1902. The DOUBLE BECKET HITCH is more secure than the SINGLE
BECKET HITCH and is the method by which a whale line is always
made fast to the harpoon becket.
If a very small line is bent to a large eye the BECKET HITCH may
be tripled or even quadrupled by adding further turns.
1903. This is a becket (not a BECKET HITCH). It is seized in the
rigging and used as a fair-leader for running rigging or else for con-
-
- fining and storing coils, oars, spars, etc.
~
1904. An iron hook, used in the same way and for the same pur-
pose, is also termed a becket. This is moused when in use (jIjI3267).
1905. Steering-wheel beckets are used in pairs. They hook to the
deck, and an EYE SPLICE slips over a spoke at either side of the wheel
to hold it steady when the ship is not under weigh. The wheel is then
said to be "in beckets"; hands are "in beckets" when in the trousers
pockets.
1906. Another DOUBLE BECKET HITCH is formed as shown here; if
desired, the end may be stuck through both the turns instead of
through the lower one only.
1907. A BECKET HITCH is given by 6hrvall, for bending to a large
I~/O eye with a small line, employing racking turns. This is given among
the bends as jIjI 1462.
1908. The FIGURE-EIGHT HITCH is an angler's method of attach-
ing a fishline to a LEADER Loop. There are a number of LEADER Loop
HITCHES shown in Chapter 2, which are potential BECKET HITCHES
1'112
provided the LEADER Loop is a spliced eye.
1909. A DOUBLE BECKET HITCH that is often shown. It is inferior
to jIjI 1902 but requires one less tuck.
1910. A ROUND TURN AND Two HALF HITCHES is a strong hitch
that is to be recommended where there is a considerable discrepancy
, " '"3 between the size of the line and the becket.
1911. If a mooring line is to remain long under water the FISHER-
MAN'S BEND, parceled and seized, cannot be bettered.
1912. A temporary hitch that is found in lifeboat lashings. It is
insecure and must be used with discrimination. The knot should be
pushed hard up to the becket.
l't15 1913. The same knot with additional turns is frequently slipped.
The turns serve to expend the surplus line.
1914. A TOGGLED BIGHT is used where it is necessary to cast off
quickly. It cannot jam and is spilled by removing the toggle.
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