COIR CORDAGE TARRED. 115 
that island are ships without nails or bands, on account of the 
rocks of adamants (loadstones), &c.”” Though imported from the 
islands in the form of sinnet, it may be manufactured into 
cordage of any size and cables of various bulk.. A quantity of 
hawsers and cables are now annually exported from Ceylon. 
The character of Coir has long been established in the East, 
and is now well known in Europe as one of the best materials 
for cables, on account as well of its lightness as its elasticity 
combined with considerable strength. These are further valua- 
ble as being durable, and little affected even when wetted with 
salt water. 
Numerous instances have been related of ships furnished 
with cables of this light, buoyant, and elastic material, riding 
out a storm in security, while stronger-made, though less 
elastic ropes of other vessels have snapped in two, and even 
when chain cables have given way. Indeed, until chain cables 
were so largely introduced, most of the ships navigating the 
Indian seas were furnished with Coir cables. Mr. H. Dalrymple, 
Master-Attendant, &c., at Madras, states in one of his reports: 
“‘ Cordage from good Coir is extensively used by vessels of all 
descriptions in India. In vessels of 600 tons it is commonly 
used for lower rigging. The yarns being tarred previous to its 
being laid up in Europe, are preferred for lanyards to the 
lower rigging.” 
Though rough to handle, and not so neat-looking as hemp 
cordage for rigging, it is yet, when properly made, sufficiently 
pliable, and being elastic, is well suited for running rigging 
where lightness is an advantage, as for the more lofty sails 
and sheets; but from its elasticity it is not considered so well 
adapted for standing rigging. 
Dr. Roxburgh, in his experiments, found that tan was not 
applicable, and it is sometimes stated that it is not capable of 
taking tar; but even in Dr. Roxburgh’s time, tar had been 
successfully used in the Coir cables made at Calcutta. Mr. 
Hornby already mentioned, states, that he could make from the 
Cocoa-nut fibre (Coir), rope of every size up to a 14-inch cable ; 
indeed that such had been made by the prisoners, and was then 
under trial by the Government Marine authorities. Some 
beautiful specimens of 8-inch rope were sent by Messrs. Harton, 
of Calcutta, to the Exhibition of 1851, in the form both of cold 
