frank's web space

sea life

SOME KNOTS

	REEF KNOT Used to join two thin ropes of approximately equal thickness.		FIGURE OF EIGHT KNOT Put knot in the end of a rope to prevent it unreeling through a block.
	CLOVE HITCH Used to secure a rope to a spar (or to a larger rope) while keeping the ends free (as in securing ratlines to the shrouds of rigging). Slips if subjected to a sideways or jerky pull.		BOWLINE Makes a temporary eye, which will not slip, in the end of a rope. Used to secure a lifeline round a man over the side, or to bend two hawsers together.
	SHEEPSHANK Used for shortening a rope that requires lengthening again.		ROUND TURN AND TWO HALF HITCHES For securing a dinghy painter to a mooring ring or a rope to a spar.
	SINGLE SHEET BEND Used for joining together two ropes of unequal thickness or for securing a boat's lazy painter to the jacob's ladder on a boom. The thicker rope should be used to make the eye.		DOUBLE SHEET BEND Used for securing a rope to an eye, such as boat's painters to the lizards of the booms. Also for joining together two ropes of different thickness. Used instead of a single sheet bend when extra security is required. Use the thicker rope to make the eye.
	ROLLING HITCH Used for securing a rope to a spar (or to another rope under strain) when sideways pulls are expected. Pass the end twice around the spa, each turn crossing the standing part. A half hitch on the opposite side completes the hitch. Always pass the two turns on the side from which the pull is expected.		FISHERMAN'S BEND For bending a rope to a boat's anchor.
	CARRICK BEND For bending two hawsers together when required to go round a capstan.		CATSPAW Hooking a tackle to the bight of a rope or shortening up a bale sling strop.
	RUNNING BOWLINE Used to make a running eye in the end of a rope.		TIMBER HITCH Used to secure a rope to a spar or bale. For towing or hoisting a spar a half-hitch is used round the timber to prevent slipping §.