Page 440 - The Ashley Book of Knots

LONG AND SHORT SPLICES (MULTI-STRAND BENDS)

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This was formerly much used on square sails where the diameter

of the boltrope was changed for each side of the sail.

In general there is no clear line of division between the splices of

the different crafts. Many sailors have served an apprenticeship in

rigging or sailmaking and many sailmakers and riggers have made

at least one voyage to sea. Generally it is in the details and refine-

ments that the practices overlap, for the requirements of the three 2.&5'6

trades are different and basically the splices must differ. There

should seldom be any doubt in identifying the source of a splice.

To make the TAPER SPLICE: Open the smaller rope a short distance

and open the larger rope several times that distance, possibly eighteen

inches, but be governed b the size and the degree of disproportion

between the two ropes. arry and stop at the crotch.

Cut away one fourth of the yams on the underside of one of the

larger strands before backing it into the smaller rope. Follow down

the same strand of the smaller rope with backhanded tucks, cutting

out a few yams of the larger strand at each tuck until the strand is

reduced to a very few arns. Repeat with the second strand. When

the third strand is tuc ed the cutting-out may have to be varied

somewhat to make the strand fill the space evenly. The ends are care-

fully arranged a-tandem, not a-tier. The small rope strands are now 2.6S1

spliced over one and under one into the larger rope, three or four

times, tapering as you go and backing the final tuck.

2657. To short splice two left-laid ropes together: Proceed exactly

as with right-laid rope but the tucks are taken in the contrary direc-

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non.

2658. When a left- and a right-laid rope are short spliced together

the strands of both ends already point away from the splicer in the

26S8

direction they are to be tucked. Structurally the whole length of this

splice is identical with SIX-STRAND ROUND SINNET.

By short splicing together twenty- or thirty-foot shots of alter-

nating left-laid and right-laid rope, of the same size, an anchor warp

may be made that will have no tendency whatever to kink, that will

lie fair at all times and that may be coiled in either direction. Such

a rope will ride easier than any other kind of cable, and if the splices

are well tapered there is little loss of strength and little trouble will

be had at the winch. The same splice, used on a seine or net, will do

away with the tendency to roll up at the edge.

LONG SPLICES are impractical in left- and right-laid rope, but if one

should be put in, for any reason, it should be served over.

2659. In the same way as 'II 2658 a cable may be spliced to a hawser

as if both were three-strand ro es. Seize both rope and cable before

opening and stop the six war ing ends. Tuck twice full in each

direction, then divide the ends and cross whip as in a SLINGS SPLICE.

2660. A strand may be spliced to a heart in a similar way. This is

required when tying a FIVE-STRAND STAR KNOT in a shroud-laid rope.

One tuck is sufficient.

2660

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