1420 



The Cornell Reading-Courses 



Fig. 67 Fig. 68 



Figure-eight knot 



With this instrument raise a strand of the rope close to where the loose 

 ends project, and in the hole thus made insert the end of the proper loose 



strand as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 64. Draw it 

 down firmly. This process is called tucking the 

 strand. Raise the strand of the rope next beyond and 

 tuck the next loose strand under it. Then tuck the 

 third strand. Draw all down securely. 



The loose strands should be given two or three more 

 tucks, each strand receiving only one tuck at a time. 

 As the strands are drawn down into place they tend 

 to twist and kink. This tight twisting causes the 

 tucked strand to stand out from the main rope and 

 makes the splicing bulky. In order to prevent this, 

 just before the strand is pulled into place untwist it at point A, Fig. 65, 

 and hold down about an inch of the loosened strand with the left thumb. 

 Now draw down all of the strand not held by the thumb. A kink will form 

 which must be drawn through, leaving the loosened strand that was held 

 by the thumb to spread out in a thin band against the main rope. By 

 cutting out some of the material of each strand after each tuck, the splice 

 may be neatly tapered into the main rope, as shown in Fig. 66. Do not 

 cut the ends of the strands too close to the rope, as they are likely to 

 draw back with use and become untucked. With a smooth round stick 

 pound the splice down solid, and roll it on the floor under the foot. 



Figure-eight knot. — This is used for making a knob on the end of a rope 

 or for keeping the strands from untwisting. It may be untied easily. 



Form a bight near the end of the rope, give the short end one complete 

 turn about the long rope, and pass it up into the bight (Fig. 67). Pull 

 up tightly, so that the end is square across the rope. By putting in a 

 short stick, or shackle, as shown in Fig. 68, the knot 

 may be very easily untied. 



Stevedore's knot. — This knot is used for making 

 an extra large knob on the end of a rope. It is 

 tied the same as a figure-eight knot, except that 

 two turns are taken around the rope instead of one, 

 and it may be made either without or with a shackle 

 as in Fig. 69 and in Fig. 70. 



I 



Fig. 69 



Fig. 70 



Stevedore's knot 



HITCHES 



Half hitch. — This forms a temporary and not 

 very secure fastening. In Fig. 71 the half hitch is shown taken around 

 the main rope, and it is seen to consist merely of a loop around the rope. 



