Page 222 - The Ashley Book of Knots

7 7
.

~
•
" • •

..

(

•

CHAPTER 15: CLOVE HITCH AND OTHER

CROSSING KNOTS

•

The general Properties belonging to the common Mariner is to hand,

reef, steer, KNOT a1ld SPLICE, "J.:ith which Qualifications he may safely

value himself upon the Calling of a good Seaman.

A NAVAL REPOSITORY, 1762

The general purpose of the CROSSING KNOT is to hold together

the bights of two ropes, or two parts of the same rope that cross each

other, or else to secure (he bight of a single rope to another cylin-

drical object. After the two parts are engaged, the ends are funher

employed. CROSSING KNOTS are commonly used when lashing an

object, or in making a tern orary fence.

There are two ways 0 tying CROSSING KNOTS and many of the

knots may be tIed in either way. The commoner way is to tie the ---------...

knot with the end of a rope, as with the CLOVE HITCH when adding

ratlines to shrouds, which requires reeving the end its full length. \'-

, ,
The other way is to tie the knot in the bight, which is done over -

stakes and posts either by first forming the knot in hand, or else by

placing successive hitches over the top of the post. The CLOVE HITCH

is the typical CROSSING KNOT and may be tied in either way.

CROSSING KNOTS are found on wagon stakes and trellises, in

clotheslines and life lines. Tied around stakes and posts, they provide

a barrier for "roping off" crowds at fires, circuses, parades, wed-

dings, country auctions, lawn panies and inaugurations. They serve

to make temporary fences around clambakes, broken shopwindows,

street trenches and shell holes.

They are required in lashings on chests, trunks, bales, bundles -and

arcels, and in standing rigging, scaffoldings, stanchions and rope

adders.

[ 2 I 3 ]