Page 175 - Eric C. Fry - Knots and Ropework

Pilot l adder See Knot 25. Shroud-laid A shroud- laid rope consists
of four strands, laid right- handed around
a central heart.
Purchase An arrangement of rope, with
or without sheave blocks, whereby a Stage A plank of timber, when suspended
mechanical advantage is obtained. as a working platform, w ith or without
horns (see Knot 26).
Rope ladder See Knot 25. Standing Part The remaining part of a
rope other than the ends, a bight or that
amount used in forming a knot, usually
Seizing A seizing is a lashing used to
secure two ropes or two parts of the same that part which is under load. In a reeved
rope (or wire) together, usually side by tackle, the standing parts are those parts
side. The size and type of cordage used of rope between the two blocks, the
to seize the ropes depends on their size remainder becoming the hauling part.
and the load to which they will be Stopper (To stopper off) See Knot 18.
subjected. There are flat, round, throat and
racking seizings. Strands l aid yarns. The appropriate
number of strands being laid together to
form the finished rope.
Serving Serving is normally associated
with worming and parcelling and whilst a Tack The lower, forward corner of a fore
serving may be put on without either of and aft sail.
the latter, the reverse does not apply,
worming and parcelling being useless Tail (or t ai l end) The extreme end of a
without the serving to complete the job. rope or any of its individual strands.
Worming is done by laying lengths of
marline, or similar small cordage, in the Topping lift Part of the running rigging
valleys between the strands, infilling them from the mast to the outer end of a boom
and making the rope more nearly to relieve the sail from the weight of the
cylindrical. latter, usually associated with older vessels.
The worming must be done w ith the lay Set in pairs, one each side of the sail.
and it is next parcelled, also with the lay, Tucking Against the Lay The action of
by being bandaged w ith a 2 to 3 inch passing the tail end of a strand over a
wide strip of canvas or similar material, strand of the standing part and under the
impregnated with tar or other next, in the opposite direction to the lay
waterproofing substance. of the rope.
The whole is finally served by being With the Lay The action of passing the
tightly and continuously bound with tail end of a strand around any strand of
marline. This is laid on with a serving the standing part in the same direction as
mallet. a tool that not only ensures the the lay of that strand.
even lay of the marline, with no gaps
between turns, but also by its leverage, Turns, relative to a Turks' Head The
provides the required degree of tightness. number of 'cross-overs' made before the
The serving is put on against the lay and working end returns to meet the standing
the whole is best remembered by the part, in parallel, for the first time. The
mnemonic, 'Worm and parcel with the diameter of the cylinder, in relation to the
lay, turn and serve the other way' (see diameter of the cordage used, governs the
Knot 40 for illustration). number of turns required.
Whipping A series of turns of sail twine
Sheaves The grooved wheels or single or similar thread, forming a lashing at the
wheel, set within the framework of a block. end of a rope or any of its individual strands
to prevent fraying.
Shrouds The standing rigging from a Worming See serving
mast to the sides of a vessel as distinct
from the 'fore and aft' standing rigging. Yarns Woven fibres laid up together.