CHAPTER H

KNOTS, BENDS, SPLICES
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. Bee page £11.

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 thex
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 with a heart in the centre (Fig. 2). * '

(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). See also page 612.

Fig. 1.

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