Page 27 - Knots and Splices (1st Edition)

KNOTS & SPLICES BK5.0 1/21/06 11:03 Page 26

4 HITCHES AND SIMILAR KNOTS

32a 32 MIDSHIPMAN’S HITCH
The Midshipman’s Hitch provides a strong, secure
loop. The hitch is based on the Rolling Hitch (42),
which will not jam when loaded. Interestingly,
it has been used by people in the water who have
been thrown a rescue line to pull them back to the
boat or shore. They have reached the stage shown
in 32c and then held the end against the standing
part of the line above the hitch. This has proved
sufficient for their rescue.
To form the Midshipman’s Hitch, start by
32b forming a loop and tucking the working end under
the standing part as shown in 32a. Then turn the
working end around the loop and standing part
together as in 32b. Send the working end up to
cross the standing part above the loop (32c) before
forming an inward Half Hitch around the standing
part as in 32d. A Rolling Hitch has now been
formed around the standing part and can be
settled and loaded (32e). In slippery synthetic line
there may be some initial slippage, but with the
hitch worked tight it will soon hold securely.

32c 32d 32e

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