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| '''Ropework''' or '''marlinespike seamanship''' |
'''Ropework''' or '''marlinespike seamanship''' are umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of ]. Ropework is used by seafarers, climbers and military personnel.<ref>{{cite book |last=Stronge |first=Charles |publisher=Amber Books Ltd |location=London |title=SAS and Elite Forces Guide to Ropes and Knots: Essential Rope Skills from the World's Elite Units |isbn=9780762778034 |page= |year=2012}}</ref> | ||
| Included are tying ]s, ], making ], ], and proper use and storage of rope. | |||
| ==Whipping frayed ropes== | |||
| ⚫ | {{main|Whipping knot}} | ||
| While the skill of a ] in the ] was often judged by how well he knew ] seamanship, the knowledge it embraces involving docking a craft, towing, making repairs underway, and more is still critical for modern seafarers. | |||
| ⚫ | A ] is a |
||
| ==Whippings== | |||
| The simplest sort of proper whipping is the ]. It is made by taking a two-]-or-greater length of strong string, forming a loop with it, three or four ]s of the rope in length, and laying it on the rope near the frayed end. The rest of the length is then tightly wrapped without overlapping around the rope, moving up the loop. When the end of the loop is nearly covered, pull the remaining free length of the string through the loop and then pull on both ends, which will pull the end of the loop under the whipping. Cut off the end of the rope close to the edge of the whipping and then cut off the two free lengths of string. | |||
| ⚫ | {{main|Whipping knot}} | ||
| ⚫ | A ] is a means of holding the cut end of a rope together to prevent fraying and ensure ease of use. The simplest form is the ]. ]s can serve as temporary whippings while cutting ropes, as can a few layers of ]. | ||
| ==Fusing frayed ropes== | |||
| Other fray-prevention techniques include back-splicing, ]s, or the application of a rubberized adhesive coating, resin, or paint to the cut end. Some modern ]s, such as ] and ] can make use of alternative methods such as fusion, which uses heat to melt the fibers to make a clean cut and permanent end; this technique cannot be used with non-melting fibers such as ]s. | |||
| Fusion is a method of treating the end of ] rope through use of ]. Make a clean cut near the end and hold the newly cut end a few inches above a flame until the fibers have melted and fused together. Allow the end to cool before touching it or setting it down. | |||
| However, the rope and knotting expert ] warns against the practice of fusing thus:<ref>{{cite book |last=Budworth |first=Geoffrey |publisher=Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. |location=New York |title=The Knot Book |isbn=0-8069-7944-5 |page=37 |year=1985}}</ref> | |||
| Another method of fusing is used for ropes from non-melting fibers like ] and ]. In this case the method is simply to cut the end of the rope, coat or dip the exposed fibers in ], ] or ] and allow to dry. | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| ==Daisy chain== | |||
| Sealing rope ends this way is lazy and dangerous. A tugboat operator once sliced the palm of his hand open down to the sinews after the hardened (and obviously ''sharp'') end of a rope that had been heat-sealed pulled through his grasp. There is no substitute for a properly made whipping. | |||
| In many applications of rope work (e.g. boating, climbing), rope may be efficiently stored for quick and easy utility by tying it into what is referred to as a ] or daisy chain. A loop is pulled through the rope on the first link, then the process is repeated for the length of the rope. At the last link, a ] is tied to stop the rope from coming undone. To undo the daisy chain, simply undo the half hitch and pull - the knot will slip apart.<ref name="Knot">{{cite book |title= Ashley Book of Knots |year=1993 |isbn= 0-385-42554-6 }}</ref> | |||
| </blockquote> | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
| {{Commons category}} | {{Commons category|Ropework}} | ||
| * |
*{{annotated link|List of knots}} | ||
| *{{annotated link|List of knot terminology}} | |||
| ⚫ | * |
||
| *{{annotated link|Marlinspike}} | |||
| ⚫ | *{{annotated link|Rope splicing}} | ||
| ==References== | ==References== | ||
| {{Reflist}} | {{Reflist}} | ||
| {{Knots}} | |||
| {{Seamanship}} | |||
| ] | ] | ||
| ] | |||
Latest revision as of 11:15, 2 January 2024
Ropework or marlinespike seamanship are umbrella terms for a skillset spanning the use, maintenance, and repair of rope. Ropework is used by seafarers, climbers and military personnel.
Included are tying knots, splicing, making lashings, whippings, and proper use and storage of rope.
While the skill of a sailor in the Age of Sail was often judged by how well he knew marlinespike seamanship, the knowledge it embraces involving docking a craft, towing, making repairs underway, and more is still critical for modern seafarers.
Whippings
Main article: Whipping knotA whipping knot is a means of holding the cut end of a rope together to prevent fraying and ensure ease of use. The simplest form is the common whipping. Constrictor knots can serve as temporary whippings while cutting ropes, as can a few layers of adhesive tape.
Other fray-prevention techniques include back-splicing, aglets, or the application of a rubberized adhesive coating, resin, or paint to the cut end. Some modern synthetic fibers, such as nylon and polyester can make use of alternative methods such as fusion, which uses heat to melt the fibers to make a clean cut and permanent end; this technique cannot be used with non-melting fibers such as aramids.
However, the rope and knotting expert Geoffrey Budworth warns against the practice of fusing thus:
Sealing rope ends this way is lazy and dangerous. A tugboat operator once sliced the palm of his hand open down to the sinews after the hardened (and obviously sharp) end of a rope that had been heat-sealed pulled through his grasp. There is no substitute for a properly made whipping.
See also
- List of knots
- List of knot terminology
- Marlinspike – Tool used in marine ropework
- Rope splicing – Semi-permanent joint between two ropes
References
- Stronge, Charles (2012). SAS and Elite Forces Guide to Ropes and Knots: Essential Rope Skills from the World's Elite Units. London: Amber Books Ltd. ISBN 9780762778034.
- Budworth, Geoffrey (1985). The Knot Book. New York: Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. p. 37. ISBN 0-8069-7944-5.
| Seamanship (seafaring) topics | |
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| Seamanship | |