MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 197 



be clockwise, is called a plain laid or a right hand rope. Such roj)e is 

 said to be laid up "with the sun." 



The size of rope is determined by its circumference in inches. Any 

 cord less than an inch in circumference is determined by its diameter. 



When four strands are laid up (twisted) right handed, the rope is 

 called shroud laid. Since the four spiral strands would leave a hollow 

 in the center they are usually laid up around a smaller inner rope called 

 the heart or core. Jn splicing, this heart or core must be removed in the 

 part of the rope unlaid for splicing. 



Cable laid rope is made by laying- up three ropes of three strands each. 

 The individual ropes are laid up right handed in themselves and then 

 the three ropes are laid up into one cable left handed. 



Ropes and cord are also braided by machinery, being made from 

 hemp or cotton yarns; an example is found in sash cord. 



Wire rope is made up of wires twisted into strands, six of these 

 strands being usually laid up into a wire rope around a wire or hemp 

 core. 



White or untarred rope is more flexible and stronger than tarred rope. 

 Since there is less waste of power due to stifil'ness of cordage, it is more 

 suitable for tackles. 



Tarred rope is more durable, particularly when exposed to moisture 

 The tarring reduces the strength of the rope but prevents it from rot- 

 ting. 



All smaller sized cordage usually called line cord, twine or spun yarn 

 is known as "seizing stuff." The different kinds have special names 

 according to the number of strands and manner of laying up. 



Coiling: Right handed rope should be coiled clockwise and vice versa 

 for left handed rope. Metal wire ropes of large size should be coiled 

 in figure of eight which enables its being uncoiled without kinking. 



Uncoiling and stretching: Before using a rope it should be uncoiled 

 against its lay to get the turns out without kinking. All new rope 

 should be stretched before using. Old rope should be frequently 

 tested by stretching. Any rope used in blocks particularly new rope, 

 will have a tendency to twist, and the greater the strain the greater the 

 tendency of the rope to unlay itself and so cause a twist. 



To stretch a rope uncoil it by following and unkinking the rope for 

 its full length ; attach one end of the rope to a swivel-hook block which 

 is secured to a hold-fast clear of the ground ; connect the other end with 

 a capstan or attach it to the pintle of a horsed limber and pull taut, 

 whereupon the rope will begin to unlay and spin the block around, thus 

 taking the twist out of the rope. In order to remove the twist perma- 

 nently, a rope should be made fast and left taut for an hour or more. 

 In this way a rope may be tested for strength as well as stretched. 



CARE OF CORDAGE 



(a) Always keep as dry as possible. 



(b) When not in actual use, it should be coiled and raised ofif the 

 ground, keeping large rope on a skid and small rope hung up on pins or 

 hooks. 



