Page 129 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

687. The orthodox way in which the able sellman ties the LANYARD

KNOT is illustrated alongside. Very few have ever learned it except

at the forecastle, and the way is easily forgotten. A bight is made with

one strand, and the next strand is laid counterclockwise across this

bight (figure I). The third strand is then laid across the first two, and

the end of the first-laid strand is led out to the periphery of the knot

as in the second diagram. The third end is then led down under the

second end and, continuing around the stem of the knot, is rove up

687

through the first-laid bight. The fourth end is led down and around

the second-laid strand end and, continuing around the stem of the

knot, is rove up through the first and second bights. The knot is then

worked close down on the seizing and drawn snug, after which the

four strands are laid up for a distance equal to the width of the knot.

It is finally given a palm-and-needle whipping O~3446).

688. The ordinary seaman's way of tying the LANYARD KNOT is

perhaps the most practical of the lot. Two opposite strands are walled

around the other two, which are held aloft without being involved.

The second two strands are then walled, each being brought down

around the stem and tucked up inside two bights as pictured.

The LANYARD KNOT may also be tied by first making a F OUR-

STRAND DOUBLE MATTHEW WALKER, then withdrawing each end,

one tuck at a time, exactly as in KNOT *68 I and then withdrawing

each end once more in the same manner. This is called the lubber's

way.

Or the knot may be tied by making a FOUR-STRAND WALL, and

tucking each strand under one more bight.

689. The knots of this series are very convenient for making rope

handrails for the steps and ladders of cellars, attics, and barns. The

lower end is finished off with an EYE SPLICE and lanyard for lashing.

Constant care must be taken to keep the lay of the strands fair.

After each tuck, before drawing the knot taut, correct any uneven-

ness, and when inserting the pricker or marIingspike be careful not

to snag the yarns.

Captain Daniel F. Mullins tells me that he once sailed on a ship in

which all the LANYARD KNOTS had square pegs driven into the hearts

to keep the whippings snug. Undoubtedly it was a rigger's ap-

688
prentice who made this mistake, since any sailor who could tie the

knot at all would know that it had to be hove taut.

690. This pictures a LANYARD KNOT in position inboard at the left

hole of an upper deadeye. On a few smart ships port lanyards were of

left-laid rope and the port knots were at the forward hole, "opposite

the right eye" and so were tied left-handed. But commonly the knots

were "opposite the left eye," as described in the doggerel at the be-

ginning of this chapter. Where cable shrouds were used-which was

common on large naval ships in the last days of hemp standing rig-

ging-all knots were opposite the right eye.

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