FIG. 31.—FLOATING SPAR.
Splicing is a process by which ropes are joined together so as to leave no knot. I appreciated its importance the other morning when I saw an intelligent man of fifty work for an hour to splice a hammock rope. Where it is specially important that the joining be a very nice and smooth one, the “short” splice is used. It is made by passing the strands of one piece in and out between those of the other. The short splice always leaves the spliced part thicker and clumsier than the rest of the rope. If it is desirable that the joining be a very neat one, so as to admit of the rope’s running readily through the sheave-hole of a block, the “long” splice is necessary. This is made by unwinding each end about two inches, placing the strands as in the short splice, then unwinding one strand further back, and winding the corresponding strand of the other piece in its place; proceeding in the same way with the other strands, and then fastening the ends in such a way that it is almost impossible to detect the splice. We have not space to describe here the exact mode of procedure; but there is scarcely a town or village anywhere but has its “old sailor,” and there is no old sailor anywhere but will be glad to come and give you all a lesson in splicing.
FIG. 32. A ROLLING HITCH.
A CAT’S-PAW.
FIG. 33. FIG. 34.
