Page 344 - The Ashley Book of Knots

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CHAPTER 28: LASHINGS AND SLINGS

Knotting ought to be reckoned, ill the scale of insignificance, next

to mere idleness. DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON'S Dictionary

Lashing is a broad term that covers Jeveral somewhat different

practices. A lashing may wrap and bind, or else bind only with a

multiplicity of turns, a bale, parcel, box, chest, or other container,

either for transportation or for storage. It may secure something

movable to something that is fixed, with various turns and hitches,

so that it cannot shift from its position. Spars, boats and water butts

are lashed on deck, and ashore various loads are lashed to wagons

and trucks. Derricks, shears and bridges are lashed when erected

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as an integral part of their construction. _.
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In America, where until recently wood has been inexpensive, •

scaffolds, or stagings as we more often call them, are commonly

made of new sawed timbers, nailed together. But in Great Britain

scaffolds are made of firs tightly lashed together with rope. Firs arc

tall evergreen trees that are urposely planted very thickly together

so that they may grow slen er and straight. Lashings of this sort are

frequently tightened with wedges, particularly post lashings. I have

seen the front of a cathedral scaffolded in this manner to a height of

at least one hundred feet. A single post in such a scaffold will con-

sist of a number of parallel firs in staggered lengths, the butt of one ./

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fir resting on the head of the fir beneath it. (See ~2103') . .

Many lashings on shipboard have individual names such as lan-

yards, gripes, gammoning, fishing, etc.

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