SPLICES

21

clutch them together as in Fig. 55, that is, so that the strands of one
rope go alternately between the strands of the other

Then tuck the strands of rope a into the rope b in a similar manner to
that described in an eye splice and similarly tuck the strands of b into
a (Figs. 56 and 57).

Fig. 56

Fig. 57.

A Long Splice is one of the most useful of splices, as it permits the
rope to run through a block just the same as an unspliced rope.

Unlay the ends of two ropes to a distance about four times the length
used in a short splice, and then clutch them together as if about to
commence a short splice. Now unlay one strand for a considerable
distance and fill up the gap thus caused by twisting in the strand opposite
to it of the other rope. Then do the same with two more strands. Let
the rema ning two strands stay as they were first placed. The ropes
will now appear as in Fig. 58.

Fig. 68.
To finish off, tuck the ends as in a short splice, but with the lay of
the rope, that is, so that the tuck will continually take place around the
same strand, and taper off gradually by reducing the yarns in the strand.
To Make a Grommet, cut a strand about three and a half times the
length of the grommet required. Unlay the rope carefully and keep
the turns of the strand in. dose up the strand in the form of a ring
(Fig. 59), and then pass the ends round and round in their original lay