Page 8 - Eric C. Fry "Knots and Ropework"

Anyone attempting to coil a right-hand laid rope left-handed will soon discover
this, whereas, when not only coiled 'with the lay' but also with an additional
twist for every turn of the coil the rope will be most obedient. and almost coil
itself.

Similarly, when tying a knot it is sometimes necessary to deliberately put a turn
into the rope, or more often take out an unwanted turn. The bowline (Knot 15)
is an ideal example of this and if the rope is not twisted as shown, an unsightly
turn will be found in the finished bight. When working with unlaid strands, as in
splicing, it is obvious that each strand must be twisted as it is drawn tight, to
maintain the lay and there are occasions when the rope is deliberately forced
against its lay to advantage as in the 'eye splice in the middle of a rope'
(Knot 36).

Different ropes, dependent on whether they are hard or soft and pliable, will
react in varying degrees and it is only with practice that it becomes possible
to 'get the feel' of any rope.

The majority of rope in common use, whether it be of vegetable or man-made
fibre is the three-strand, right-hand, hawser-laid rope, which is used throughout
Part One of the book.

Some knowledge of the terms employed is also necessary and the frontispiece
plate, apart from showing the construction of the rope, also indicates the
standing part, the bight and the tailor tail end.

Whippings, the use of sail twine (or similar) to secure a rope's end from fraying
are not shown in detail; suffice to say that there are three main types, Common.
West Country and Sailmakers' (or palm and needle).

A whipping should always be applied to the individual strands when working
with an unlaid end of rope, but as this is a temporary measure, a few turns of
sail twine finished in a reef knot is all that is needed. The application of a
lighted match will effectively seal the ends of any man-made fibre and wire will
not unstrand if cut w ith an oxy-acetylene torch instead of with a hammer and
chisel.

Other types of rope comprise the four-strand shroud-laid rope with a central core
also laid right-handed and the nine-strand cable-laid, the latter being three
complete three-strand, hawser-laid ropes, laid up together left -handed, thus
forming a nine-strand rope. The comparatively new braided (or plaited) rope is
being increasingly used, particularly by the yachting fraternity.

No matter how utilitarian a knot or piece of ropework may be, by long ma ritime
tradition it has to be seen to be good as well as being efficient. Hence the
familiar Turk's head that enhances the appearance of a tiller and gives the
helmsman a firmer grip. There has. though. never been any question of
decoration for its own sake because, whether it was an elaborate working knot
or plaited cordage, each had its purpose and place in the overall scheme from
tack knot and highly ornate sea-chest handles to tiddly mat.