Q. How do you pass a shear-lashing?
A. Middle the lashing and take a turn around both legs at the cross; pass one end up and the other down, around and over the cross, until half of the lash is expended; then ride both ends back again on their own parts and knot them in the middle; frap the first and riding turns together on each side with sennit. This will be useful in rigging shears for hoisting guns when a gin is not available. Any two spars that will support the weight can be used. (See Fig. 51.)
Fig. 51.
Lay the middle of the back guy in the cross; bring the left-hand end up around the right leg and over the head of the left leg; then carry the right-hand end around under both legs; let it cross over the left-hand end, and seize them together with spun-yarn.
Q. How is a square lashing made?
A. Place two spars at right angles and pass several turns around two opposite angles of the X, then several turns around the other two opposite angles. Continue this until the spars are firmly lashed and will not move; tie the ends. This lashing is used to make two spars rigid and at right angles to each other.
Q. How are shears rigged and raised?