Page 30 - Knots and Splices (1st Edition)

KNOTS & SPLICES BK5.0 1/21/06 11:03 Page 29

36 38a

37 38b

36 SHEEPSHANK 37 LARK’S HEAD or COW HITCH
The Sheepshank is a rarely used, The Lark’s Head or Cow Hitch is a
but potentially very useful knot good knot to use when the load will
indeed. It has the effect of shortening be carried on both parts. It is used
a rope and is commonly regarded as most commonly to attach baggage
being for that purpose, but its real tags or key labels and is structurally
importance is in providing a way of the same as the Bale Sling (73).
bypassing an area of damage in a
line. It will fall apart unless tension 38 TWO HALF HITCHES
is maintained on the two ends, but Two Half Hitches can be used to
while that is done, the section of line hitch a line temporarily to a ring, post
across the middle can actually be or dockside loop. The two hitches are
cut right through and the sheepshank put on in the same direction (38a) so
will remain intact. This makes it that, when worked tight, they form a
possible to use a chafed line until Clove Hitch (41) about the standing
it can be renewed. If that will not part (38b).
be for some time, then additional
security can be created by seizing
the two ‘ears’ to their respective
standing parts.

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