Page 436 - The Ashley Book of Knots

LONG AND SHORT SPLICES (MULTI-STRAND BENDS)

2634. This diagram shows the first strand of a SAILOR'S SHORT

SPLICE in process of being tucked. The end is led over the first op-

posing strand and under the next. Then the rope is turned toward

you into position for the next strand, which is shown above the first

one. After the three ends are each tucked once the splice is turned

end for end and the other set is tucked the same. When splicing,

be seated if possible, with the splice laid across the lap.

2635. The "OVER AND UNDER," or "SAILOR'S SHORT SPLICE," also

called "SHORT SPLICE" and "REGULAR SHORT SPLICE." All early nau-

tical authorities, beginning with Captain John Smith, called this the

ROUND SPLICE. Falconer, in 1769, was the first to call it the SHORl

SPLICE. The earliest SHORT SPLICE was tucked twice full size.

The rope is crotched, stopped, and held across the splicer's lap.

The first tuck is taken as shown in jjf 2634, after which the rope is

turned one third of a revolution toward the splicer and the next

sister strand is tucked in exactly the same manner. After the rope is

turned end for end, the other three strands are tucked the same as

the first end. The way of taking the first tuck has been described as

jjf 262 8.

Having removed the stop and drawn all the strands snug, proceed

to tuck all six ends a second time, as described in jjf 2629. The ends

are trimmed at a length equal to the diameter of the rope. The sec- 2636

ond diagram shows the appearance of the completed splice.

2636. The diagram alongside shows the SHORT SPLICE opened and

flattened with every strand in evidence. The drawing was made in

answer to the suggestion of several knot enthusiasts, who felt that it

was inadequate to show one face of the splice only; that all strands

should be shown to make the construction clear. The diagram is in-

teresting mainly because, although it shows ever thing regularly and

as simply as may be, it fails to make the splice c earer.

2637. Illustrative of the sailor's common way of cutting a strand.

The knife is drawn toward the splicer to the right, and the strand is

cut diagonally. But the best way to cut strands is probably with a

pair of shears; the quickest way is with a hatchet.

2638. Captain Charles W. Smith's GENERAL UTILI'IY SPLICE was

tucked full twice, both ways. Then the yarns of each strand were

divided and the lower half of all six was stuck once more. As it is 2638

ordinarily expressed, each strand was "tucked two and a half times."

The splice was then either rolled on deck underfoot, or else was

pounded with a marlingspike, after which it was given two palm-

and-needle whippings at each end. The whippings were put over the

well-rounded section, where the strands cross each other. The ends

were trimmed to a length equal to the diameter of the rope.

2639. A CARGO SLINGS SPLICE is also put into large hawsers. One

full turn must be taken out of the twist before crotching for a slings.

The ends are tucked twice full, and then one half a strand from each

of two adjacent ends is securely whipped or seized together. This

is called CROSS WHIPPING. This scheme is foHowed until all ends have

been given a strong whipping. The ends are trimmed to a length of 2&40

four to six inches according to the size of the rope. Sometimes they

are whipped twice.

2640. The ordinary FARM SPLICE ashore is tucked three times full.

Ends should always be cut long (preferably one and one half times

the diameter of the rope), and then be allowed to wear off in use.

[ 4 7 ]
2