. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65-66
Sling for a Barrel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67-68
Chain Knot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68-69
Double Chain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69-70
Twist or Plain Knot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Wire Rope Splicing, etc.--
How to Handle Wire Rope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Set of Wire Rope Splicing Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Directions for Splicing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76-78
Splicing Thimbles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78-82

Tables showing the Respective Weights and Strengths of Various
Cordage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83-86

{1}

THE CONSTRUCTION OF ROPES.

Rope, the term being used in its widest construction, is made from
almost every pliable material, but is generally composed of hemp,
manila, coir, cotton, steel, iron, or copper wire.

For the present we will confine ourselves to those having their origin
in the vegetable kingdom, and more especially to those made from hemp
and manila.

These are divided into three classes:--

(1). +A Hawser-laid Rope+, which is composed of three strands laid up
generally right-handed (that is, the direction taken by the strands in
forming the rope runs always from left to right) (Fig. 1.)

(2). +A Shroud-laid Rope+, also laid up right-handed, but consisting
of four strands (Fig. 2) with a heart in the centre.

(3). +A Cable-laid Rope+, which is composed of three right-handed
hawser-laid ropes laid up together left-handed, so that it may be said
to consist of nine strands (Fig. 3), or it may be formed by three
left-handed ropes laid up right-handed (Fig. 4).

{2}

[Illustration: Fig. 1. Fig. 2. Fig. 3.]

In Fig. 4 we show a more complete analysis of its construction (in this
case a right-handed cable-laid rope).

[Illustration: Fig. 4.]

{3}

First we see the cable _e_ formed by the three ropes _d_, _f_, and _g_;
whilst the rope _g_ is dissected to show the strands forming it, _c_,
_h_, _j_; and in the strand _h_ we see _b_, the yarn composing the
strand, and _a_ a yarn teased out to show the original fibre.

The end of a rope must always be secured in some way, or it is evident
from its construction that it will on the slightest usage become frayed
out. The commonest method is by placing on an o