Miscellaneous
[Fig. 185], VIII shows a simple and expeditous manner of attaching a trolling-hook to a fish-line.
[Fig. 185], F is a hitch used on shipboard, or wherever lines and cables are used. It is called the Blackwall hitch.
[Fig. 185], E is a fire-escape made of a double bow-line knot, useful as a sling for hoisting persons up or letting them down from any high place; the window of a burning building, for instance. [Fig. 186], XVIII, XIX, and XX show how this knot is made. It is described on [page 77].
[Fig. 185], A is a "bale hitch," made of a loop of rope. To make it, take a piece of rope that has its two ends joined; lay the rope down and place the bale on it; bring the loop opposite you up, on that side of the bale, and the loop in front up, on the side of the bale next to you; thrust the latter loop under and through the first and attach the hoisting rope. The heavier the object to be lifted, the tighter the hitch becomes. An excellent substitute for a shawl-strap can be made of a cord by using the bale hitch, the loop at the top being a first-rate handle.
[Fig. 185], B is called a cask sling, and C ([Fig. 185]) is called a butt sling. The manner of making these last two and their uses may be seen by referring to the illustration. It will be noticed that a line is attached to the bale hitch in a peculiar manner (a, [Fig. 185]). This is called the "anchor bend." If while aboard a sail-boat you have occasion to throw a bucket over for water, you will find the anchor bend a very convenient and safe way to attach a line to the bucket handle, but unless you are an expert you will need an anchor hitched to your body or you will follow the bucket.
[Fig. 186], I and II are loops showing the elements of the simplest knots.
[Fig. 186], III is a simple knot commenced.
[Fig. 186], IV shows the simple knot tightened.
[Fig. 186], V and VI show how the Flemish knot looks when commenced and finished.
[Fig. 186], VII and VIII show a "rope knot" commenced and finished.
[Fig. 186], IX is a double knot commenced.
[Fig. 186], X is the same completed.
[Fig. 186], XI shows a back view of the double knot.
[Fig. 186], XII is the first loop of a "bow-line knot." One end of the line is supposed to be made fast to some object. After the turn, or loop ([Fig. 186], XII), is made, hold it in position with your left hand and pass the end of the line up through the loop, or turn, you have just made, behind and over the line above, then down through the loop again, as shown in the diagram ([Fig. 186], XIII); pull it tight and the knot is complete. The "sinker hitch" is a very handy one to know, and the variety of uses it may be put to will be at once suggested by the diagrams.
Fig. 186.
Lines that have both ends made fast may have weights attached to them by means of the sinker hitch ([Fig. 185], D, D, D).
To accomplish this, first gather up some slack and make it in the form of the loop ([Fig. 186], XIV); bend the loop back on itself ([Fig. 186], XV) and slip the weight through the double loop thus formed ([Fig. 186], XVI); draw tight by pulling the two top lines, and the sinker hitch is finished ([Fig. 186], XVII).
The "fire-escape sling" previously mentioned, and illustrated by [Fig. 185], E, is made with a double line.
Proceed at first as you would to make a simple bow-line knot ([Fig. 186], XVIII).
After you have run the end loop up through the turn ([Fig. 186], XIX), bend it downward and over the bottom loop and turn, then up again until it is in the position shown in [Fig. 186], XX; pull it downward until the knot is tightened, as in [Fig. 185], E, and it makes a safe sling in which to lower a person from any height. The longer loop serves for a seat, and the shorter one, coming under the arms, makes a rest for the back.
[Fig. 186½], XXI is called a "boat knot," and is made with the aid of a stick. It is an excellent knot for holding weights which may want instant detachment. To detach it, lift the weight slightly and push out the stick, and instantly the knot is untied.
[Fig. 186½], XXII. Commencement of a "six-fold knot."
[Fig. 186½], XXIII. Six-fold knot completed by drawing the two ends with equal force. A knot drawn in this manner is said to be "nipped."
[Fig. 186½], XXIV. A simple hitch or "double" used in making loop knots.
[Fig. 186½], XXV. "Loop knot."
[Fig. 186½], XXVI shows how the loop knot is commenced.
[Fig. 186½], XXVII is the "Dutch double knot," sometimes called the "Flemish loop."
[Fig. 186½], XXVIII shows a common "running knot."
[Fig. 186½], XXIX. A running knot with a check knot to hold.
[Fig. 186½], XXX. A running knot checked.
Fig. 186½.
[Fig. 186½], XXXI. The right-hand part of the rope shows how to make the double loop for the "twist knot." The left-hand part of the same rope shows a finished twist knot. It is made by taking a half turn on both the right-hand and left-hand lines of the double loop and passing the end through the "bight" (loop) so made.