Page 164 - NAVAL SCIENCE 3 TEXTBOOK

170 ""',\VAl. SKILLS

the round turn ~l1ld two half hitches. i\'{ost also should know the 'tb 'i,shioll a single becket bend. make a bight on one line and
clove hitch. These knots arc explained nnd illustrated here to give run the bitter end of the other line up through it. Pass the bitter
YOll some guidelines to go by in your OWIl seamanship practice. end around behind both parts of the bight and back under itselt~
Besides that, it's fUll! The third step, to make a double becket, is I1wde by tilking another
turn around the bight.
The clOl'C hitch is the best ali-around knot for bending a line
to a ring, spar, or anything else that is round or nearly round. The
clove hitch call be e<lsil)' tied, and it will hold as long as there is a
strain on it. Once the stmin is taken oft: however. the hitch must be
checked and tightened to prevent the bitter end from pulling out
when the strain is renpplied. ror that retlson, it is a good idea to put
a half hitch on the end of it.
To tie this hitch, take a turn around the object with the bitter
end, pass the end across the standing paft, and take another turn.
(Notice that both turns go .,round in the same direction.) Then
pass the bitter end under itself alongside the standing part. and the
Terms used in tying knots, bends, and hitches. hitch is complete.
Another way to make the dove hitch is to torm two underhand
The sqllare kllot, also called the reef knot. is the best-known loops. Lay the second loop on top of the first. This method is often
knot for bending two lines together. It cnn nlso be made to secure used to form the hitch when it can be slipped over the end of the
small stuff around a packnge. It can sometimes slip and can jam object to which the line is to be secured.
under strain. It can be loosened by pulling first one nnd then the Since the dow hitch mny slide along i.l slippery object, the rDlIIut
other end. tllfl/lI'ilh 111'0 hl1lj'hitches is often used instead. The chief advantage
A landlubber tfying to tie a square knot Oftl'll comes out with of the round turn and two half hitches is that it will not slip along
a gr{/J11J)' k'IOt. for a square knot, both parts of the line must be the object to which it is secured. If the angle of pull is .,cute (less
tinder the same bight (half-loop). than 90 degrees), this hitch should be used. The round turn and
Here is the proper W'l), to tie a square knot: rlhke the end in two hnlf hitches is especiall}' useful on a spar (pole) because it grips
),our right hand, nnd pass it over and under the part in your left tight I)' and holds its position.
hnnd. \Vith your right hanel, take the end that was in your left, and This hitch is made by tnking a round turn nround the object
pass it under and over the part in your left hand. and then making two half hitches around the standing part. (The
The bOll'lil1e is one of the most useful knots. It has llwny vari- two half hitches actually consist of a dove hitch formed around the
ations. The chief use of the bowline is to form all eye at the end stilnding part of the line.)
of a line, but it also C;.lIl be used to secure a line to a ring or pad-
eye (a deck fitting resembling n vertical steel plnte rounded on the
Securing for Sea
top nnd welded to the deck along the bottom, with a hole ncar the
top). to form a loop nround il stanchion or other object. or to bend Knots, bends, and hitches arc nccessary to ensure the s;.llet)' of peo-
two lines together. The bowline neither slips nor jnll1s, and it tics ple working, for Ill<tlly seamanship evolutions, and for securing
nnd unties easily. It is the best knot to use for bending a heaving equipment to prevent damage during rough seas. You c<ln neyer
line or messenger to the eye of a hawser or cable bC(;1Use it is quick underestimate the force of the sea!
to tie and eas), to get off. Lines must be in good shape and strong enough to hold the
The method of tying a bowline is tiS follows: Form it smtlli hor- gear and people who depend on them. for heavy ",eather, all
izontalloop in the line <1bout where you want the eye to be formed, objects must be lashed tightly against something solid. The lines
with the standing part (long side) of the line underneath. Pass the should be taut so the object will not "work" with the pitch and roll
bitter end up through the loop. nround behind the standing part. of the ship. Chafillg gear, consisting of n p<tdded sicew or cn[was,
and back down through the loop (i.e., up, ;:UOlllld, and down). should be placed around lines to prevent wearing on sharp corners
Tighten the knot by <tpplying some strain to the eye with the stand- and rough surfaces. Lines should never be tied to elet.:tric cnbles,
ing part of the line. slllall piping, or other movable objects.
The chief value of the becket belld is to bend together two lines of Snfet), lirst is always the rule when working with lines and wire
dillcrellt sizes. If there is a great ditlcn:nce in sizes, or the strain on the rope.
line is to be great, a dOl/ble becket bel/{l should be used. A becket bend
is as good as a square knot, and mllch easier to ulltie after strain.