Page 219 - The Ashley Book of Knots

THE ASHLEY BOOK OF KNOTS

1151. A SEIZED SHORTENING is sometimes put on a new rope that

has not yet been weathered. It is neat and dependable. The seizings

may be made as ~3385.

115 , liS 2. 1152. There are two practical ways of tying the SHEEPSHANK

KNOT. The slack in the rope may be laid out on deck in three parallel

parts, forming two bights as in the first diagram of ~ 1146. A HALF

HITCH is formed in the standing part and placed over the end of one

of the bights. Then the other bight is treated likewise. This is the

preferred way for large rope.

1153. In Ii ht rope the three parallel parts of the SHEEPSHANK

KNOT are lai out as before, the upper bight is grasped in the right

hand, laid across the standing part of the rope and then given a turn

115'3 which picks up a hitch exactly in the same way that is employed in

tying a BOWLINE KNOT. This is repeated with the lower end.

1154. If a SHEEPSHANK KNOT is to be tied around a wounded or

chafed part of a rope it should be arranged so that the weak point

will be where X is marked on the accompanying drawing. Some-

times this knot is employed as a "trick" and the rope is cut at X.

Under steady pull, even when cut, the knot is reasonably secure.

1155. The SHEEPSHANK WITH MARLINGSPIKE HITCHES is the safest

of the SHEEPSHANK KNOTS. All other varieties should be seized or

otherwise secured to make them safe, unless the need is very tem-

porary.

"$4 1155

1156. A SHEEPSHANK based on the TOM FOOL'S KNOT. Sailors tie

a number of more or less decorative SHEEPSHANKS for the edification

of landsmen. A TOM FOOL'S KNOT having been tied, a HALF HITCH

is added to the end of each loop.

1157. A SHEEPSHANK from a HANDCUFF KNOT may be made by

adding two hitches in similar manner to the last knot, or it may be

•
liS' tied directly with four hitches as ~ 1 164.

1158. The common SHEEPSHANK, if carefully tied and drawn up

and ke t at even tension, is fairly dependable, but it should be ex-

amine after each haul or lift, and if it is to remain in place an con-

siderable length of time it should be stopped. This is usually one as

shown alongside.

1159. Perhaps a better way to secure the SHEEPSHANK is to include

only two parts and to add crossing turns to the seizings. Arranged

in this way, the knot will be safe.

t 15'1 1158 1160. In heavy material a SHEEPSHANK may be toggled. Slightly

tapering fids should be driven in and these in tum should be secured

by taking belaying turns of marline around the two ends. If the fids

are notched at the center the knot will be safer.

1160

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