Q. Explain the difference between hawser-laid rope and cable-laid rope.
A. Cable-laid rope is composed of nine strands, and is made by first laying up three ropes of three strands each with the sun, and then laying the three ropes together into one, against the sun. Hawser-laid rope must be coiled with the sun. Hawser-laid rope is a right-handed rope, and cable-laid is therefore left-handed. (See Fig. 44.)
Q. How is the size of the rope denoted?
A. The size of the rope is always denoted in inches and fractions, and is measured on the circumference. (See Fig. 44.)
Q. (a) How do you worm a rope? (b) Why?
A. (a) Worming a rope is filling up the divisions between the strands by passing spun-yarn along them. (b) This is to render the surface smooth for parceling and serving. (See Fig. 44.)
Q. (a) How do you parcel a rope? (b) Why?
A. (a) Parceling rope is wrapping narrow strips of canvas about it, well tarred, put on with the lay of the rope. (b) To secure it from being injured by rain-water or to prevent chafing or cutting of a rope when a strain is brought against a rough surface or sharp edge. (See Fig. 44.)