art of handling and working all kinds of fiber and wire rope. It includes every variety of knotting, splicing, serving, and fancy work.

manufactured from wire, fiber, and combinations of the two. Fiber rope–or line, as it is commonly called–is fashioned from natural or synthetic fibers.

is a piece of rope, either fiber or synthetic, that is in use or has been cut for a specific purpose, such as a lifeline, heaving line, or lead line.

right-laid strands around a center core. Each strand is aramid fibers laid into parallel yarns left laid helically around the strand core with a braided helical of alternating aramid and polyester yarns.

have certain advantages over twisted ropes. They will not kink nor will they flex open to admit dirt or abrasives. The construction of some braids, however, makes it impossible to inspect the inner yarns for damage. The more common braided lines are hollow braided, stuffer braided, solid braided, and double braided lines.

usually have an even number of parallel, tapelike groups of small yarns braided into a hollow, tubelike cord. This type of construction in cotton formerly was used for signal halyards–a purpose now served largely by three-strand and double braided nylon. Other uses are parachute shroud lines and shot lines for line-throwing guns.

are manufactured in a similar manner except that the braid is formed around a highly twisted yarn core, which rounds out and hardens the line. This type of construction in cotton is used for sash cord (heaving lines).

are fashioned in various ways. One familiar construction is that used for leadlines, taffrail log lines, and the like. This braided line is of large yarns, either single or plied, tightly braided to form a hard, relatively stiff line that will not kink, snag, or swell in water.

consists of 12 strands in a twill pattern, where one strand of one direction of rotation about the axis of rope passes over two strands of the opposite direction and then passes under the next two strands of the opposite direction. Single braided line is used for mooring lines and towing hawsers.

is two hollow braided lines, one inside the other. The core is made of large, single yarns in a slack braid. The cover is also made of large, single yarns but in a tight braid that compresses and holds the core. Double braided line is manufactured only from synthetics, and about 50 percent of the strength is in the core. It is used for mooring lines, towing hawsers, signal halyards, dressing lines, and many other purposes.

is made of eight strands–four right-twisted and four left-twisted. The strands are paired and worked like a four-strand braid.

Line 1 1/2 inches or less in circumference

three-strand, right-laid tarred hemp is used for seizing and servings on ships where neatness is required.

small stuff laid up right-handed by machine, like regular line, but it is not much larger than fishing line is used for servings when a fancier job than can be done with marline is desired.

the light, white line formerly used in hammock clews (lines for suspending a hammock) is used for decorative purposes.

the descending order of strength are the synthetic fibers used to make line.

is a good knot with many uses. It is used whenever a loop is needed, such as in making a temporary eye in a mooring line.

the best known knot for bending two lines together. However, it can jam on a strain and become very difficult to untie.

are used to make permanent eyes and permanent repairs in lines. There are three general types of splices: eye, short, and long. When splicing fiber line, you should take three or four tucks with each strand.

you must untwist the strands in the end of your line anywhere from 4 inches to 2 feet, depending on the size of the line, and splice them into the standing part of the line by tucking the unlaid strands from the end into the standing part.

Lines are _________ together when a slight enlargement of the diameter of the line is of no importance. Slings are made of pieces of line, with their own ends short spliced together.

An eye splice consists of three main component

designated by the number of strands per rope and the number of wires per strand.

made of annealed steel, traction steel, or improved plow steel. The basic metal may be plain or galvanized. galvanizing protects the rope from the elements, but makes it stiffer and reduces its strength by as much as 10 percent.

6 strands with 19 wires

Both wires in the strands and strands in the rope are twisted to the right.

Both wires in the strands and strands in the rope are twisted to the left.

Wires in the strands are twisted to the left; strands in the rope are twisted to the right.

Wires in the strands are twisted to the right; strands are twisted to the left.

the process of securing one rope to another, two or more parts of the same rope to itself, or fittings of any kind to a rope by binding with small stuff or with annealed iron wire.