Page 175 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

So far knots that commenced with a wall have had the sam"

number of rim parts as strands. But knots that are started with a

crown have the same number of sides to the center compartment as

there are strands, while the number of rim parts may vary.

It is unnecessary, however, that either the number of center parts

or the number of rim parts shduld coincide with the number of

strands. Number 980 has a center compartment of four sides and

four rim parts and is tied with two strands only, while '/I: 1000 is tied

with two strands only, but has six rim parts and no center compart-

ment at all, having a cross at the center instead of a compartment.

887. The SPRITSAIL SHEET KNOT was first given by Steel in 1794.

To tie: Seize two parallel rope ends together, open and wall all six

strands regularly to the right, and then crown them as illustrated.

The knot may now be doubled by following outside the original

wall and continuing on the same side of the strand without crossing

it. If any difficulty is encountered a study of the method of tying

described as '/1:907 and '/1:908 may be of assistance.

Work the knot into the shape of the lower left diagram.

888. Knots that are crowned in a direction opposite to the wall

are marked by a difference in appearance as well as structure. If it

is desired to tie a knot in this way it may be found simpler to reverse

the original wall instead of reversing the crown, the crowns being

86T 886 always tied as in the diagram that is given. The top right diagram

illustrates a left wall, and below this is the diagram form of the

SPRITSAIL SHEET KNOT tied with a left wall and a right crown. Below

this is a picture of the completed knot which shows how rectangular

it becomes when the wall and crown are tied reversely.

In ordinary sea practice the SPRITSAIL SHEET KNOT was generally-

tied as nearly round as possible. In this form it was put in messenger

straps ('/1:889) and in the straps of tack, clew line, and spritsail sheet

blocks.

Sometimes the knot was tied in deck stoppers when they were of

cable-laid rope. In this case the three central strands were cut out,

and the knot was tied with the six remaining surface strands.

889. The two ends of a messenger strap were buttoned together

with a SPRITSAIL SHEET KNOT after being rove through the eyes of

the messenger.

890. If there are too many strands in a sinnet with which to tie a

890 desired knot, lay up the strands symmetrically in pairs until there

are the right number of units with which to tie, and make the knot

with these units. Then double the parts that are still single, and

triple the knot, finally tucking all ends to the stem as they lie.

891. When there are too few strands for a knot that is planned,

stop a sufficient number of extra strands along the stem of the knot,

having them evenly distributed. These extra strands should be of

different color or texture from the permanent strands. Tie the knot,

and double or triple it without sticking the ends to the stem. Double

the lead of one of the extra strands with a convenient permanent

strand, after which remove the extra strand so that the knot is the

same size as before. Then remove and replace another strand. In

some cases, such as the STAR KNOT and the FOUR-STRAND DIAMOND

891

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