22 NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE

until all the intervals are filled up (Fig. 60), and then finish off the two
ends as in a long splice (Fig. 61).

Fig 59. Fig 60. Fig 61.
A Grommet.
WIRE SPLICING.
In splicing wire, great care should be taken to prevent kinks getting
in the rope or strands.
With steel wire, always before working it, put a stop on at the
place to which you intend to unlay, and also put a good whipping of
twine at the end of each strand.
Steel wire is six-stranded right-handed, and has a heart of hemp.
Flexible wire has a heart of hemp in each strand.
Crucible wire is made in the same manner, except that the strands
are wire throughout.
Crucible wire is used for standing rigging and flexible wire for
purchases, etc.
In splicing wire all tucks are made with the lay of the rope.
In making an eye splice the rope is handled better if hung up in a
convenient position so that when standing up the eye will be at about
the level of the chest of the person working.
A long tapering steel marline-spike is required, and after placing
it under a strand do not withdraw it until the tuck is made and all the
slack of the strand drawn through. r
There are several methods in vogue for tucking the strand, but the
folio wing is as good as any:—Tuck the first strand under two strands and
all the rest under one strand respectively. Tuck whole again, and
this time each strand under one strand, then halve the strands and
tuck again.
To make a neat splice do not haul the part of the rope that has not
been unlaid too close to the neck of the splice, and in tucking the strands
never take a short nip but take long lays.
la unlaying for a long splice, always unlay two strands simultan-