Page 71 - The Knot Bible

Blackwall hitch

You don’t have to be a stevedore to lift cargo on and off ships. Many KNOT SCORE
yachts are fi tted with davits to hoist their tenders on board, while others Strength
use their sail halyards for the same purpose. And, if you’re stocking up for Security
a long passage, you might want to ‘crane’ your shopping aboard ship. In Diffi culty Tying
any of these situations, the blackwall hitch will prove an instant (if not Diffi culty Untying
Usefulness
altogether trustworthy) friend.

‘Sunday came again while we were hides onto his ship, the Pilgrim. additional effort. The blackwall hitch
at Monterey, but as before, it brought Sadly, he makes no mention of scores on the fi rst and last points,
us no holyday. The people on shore which knots were used for this work, but is only secure if the rope used
dressed themselves and came off in but the blackwall hitch, or the is thick enough to fi ll the jaw of the
greater numbers than ever, and we double blackwall hitch, must be at hook. The double blackwall hitch
were employed all day in boating the top of the list of contenders. (opposite) is a little more secure, but
and breaking out cargo, so that we Other so-called ‘hook hitches’ both should be used with caution.
had hardly time to eat...’ include the marlinspike hitch (page Its name is thought to originate
The above is an extract from Two 48), the stunner hitch, and the bill from the Blackwall Shipyard on the
Years Before the Mast by RH Dana. hitch. But the blackwall hitch is River Thames which, in the latter
Dana was an American lawyer probably the most common. part of the 18th century, was the
who, before his graduation, took a The main characteristics of a good largest private shipyard in the world.
two-year sabbatical to experience life ‘hook hitch’ is that it should be quick Its output included ships for the
on the high seas. Despite his upper and easy to tie, it should hold a Royal Navy and the East India
class background, he signed up as substantial load securely, and it Company. The knot may have been
an ordinary sailor, and spent much should ‘spill’, or come undone, once used to carry timber around the yard
of his time in California, loading the load is released, without any and load equipment onto the ships.

1 Pass the working end around the 2 ... and across its mouth, to form 3 Pass the standing end over the
back of the hook... a complete turn. working end so that it jams the latter
against the hook.

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