Page 480 - The Ashley Book of Knots

. " - •

-

•• po .... ., __ &

. ~

.e--' """
,
\ ,',

I

- ~
•
CHAPTER 37: CHAIN AND CRO\VN SINNETS

\ .... --\.. ,-
\ \

11\ \

'\~\ \ I

\f \ I

Sinnet is a Line-made of Roape Ymnes-wbicb are divided and

platted One over Another, as they plat Horses Maines.

SIR HENRY MANWAYRING, 1644

There are several forms of the word sinnet, among them synet,

sennet, sennett, sennit and sinnit. But the older sailors that I have

known invariably pronounced the word sinnet; and the early and

best nautical authorities-Captain John Smith (1627), Sir Henry

Manwayring (1644), Thomas Blanckley (1750), and R. H. Dana

(1841 ) -agree on the spelling as I give it.

Falconer (1769) appears to be responsible for the present diction-

ary form of the word, sennit, which he attempts to derive from

seven plus knit. But the sailor is perhaps more familiar with netting

than he is with knitting, and I hazard that sin (gle) plus net is a more

plausible derivation, and that most derivations are mere guesswork

anyway.

The word braid appears to have been applied almost exclusively

to FLAT SINNETS. ,

The word plat or plait, besides meaning braid, also means a fold in I
•

cloth. It is often spelled pleat, but is always pronounced plat ltt sea. \ \ \

Sailors use the word when platting a mat. ,

Sinnet appears to be the only comprehensive term for the present

subject that carries no other meaning.

On shipboard sinnet is employed for chafing gear; it was formerly

used for service and for reef points, gaskets, robands, earings and

lashings.

CHAIN SINNETS are made of one or more strands that are formed

into successive loops, which are tucked through each other. They

savor of crochet and knitting, and as such are often termed "chains"

or "chain stitch."

[ 47 I ]