Page 48 - Eric C. Fry - Knots and Ropework

26 The sale purpose of this knot. made at both ends of a plank of
wood is to support the plank, or stage as it is call ed when used
Stage or in this manner, not only horizontally, but also in such a manner
that it w ill not twist or cant.
The horn is the smaller piece of timber, nailed at right angles to
Scaffold the stage. on the underside. Its purpose is twofold. Firstly, to
prevent the whole knot from slipping off the end of the stage and
Hitch secondly, the one side being longer than the other, to provide
room for a person's legs, w hen sitting on the stage, working
against a ship's side.
The knot may be formed w ithout the horns, but when used, as
illustrated, the first complete turn is taken on the inside of the
horn and the second on the outside, the rope crossing the horn on
the underside. The first turn is then not only lifted over
the second. but its bight is also passed around the long end of
the horn. resulting in two parts of rope crossing the underside of
the horn diagonally.
The original second turn is then lifted completely over the first
and third turns and this bight placed downwards over the end of
the stage. the resulting bights formed at each edge of the stage
being suitably adjusted. In this manner, the horn is effectively
secured to the stage without having to rely on nails.
The whole may be formed on the end of a rope with a sufficiently
long tail to make fast in a bowline. to the standing part some
distance above the stage, as illustrated. Otherwise and preferably,
the knot is made on the bight of a rope, giving two standing parts.
each of which can be indiVidually adjusted to keep the stage level.
when made fast overhead.
The photographs have been taken using a miniature stage and a
small rope for the sake of convenience, but in pra ctice the size of
the stage wou ld be in keeping with its load and span.