CARGO GEAR 387
with an eye spliced in each end. The middle of the rope is passed under
the package, one end is rove through the eye at the other end and
placed on the hook of the derrick fall The weight tightens the snotter
round the package.
Nets are suitable for small packages, bags, etc.
Strong Wooden Trays are used for lifting a number of small articles
such as drums of paints, and oil, cases containing bottles, candles and
other packages that can be lifted conveniently by one man and placed
on the tray. The trays are constructed to lift a load up to 1J tons and
are slung with a four-legged bridle.
The Bridle is made of four legs of equal lengths of either rope ot
wire, one end of each leg being spliced into an iron ring, the other end
into the eye of a hook, one hook for each of the eyebolts at the corners
of the tray. The derrick fall is hooked on to the ring and the tray
of goods hoisted.
Can Hooks are used for lifting casks but not, as a rule, when they
contain liquid. The sling of the can hook may be of rope or chain.
The hooks catch under the chime of the cask, and the heavier the weight
the better they grip.
Chain Slings have a hook at one end and a big link at the other end.
They are used to sling heavy coarse goods such as iron bars, sheet
iron, structural and agricultural materials. The chain is passed round
the material once, or twice if need be, and the end hooked round the
chain. The derrick fall is hooked on Ło the big link and the weight
tightens the turns of chain around the load.
Bull Ropes are used in the holds when goods have to be dragged
from the ends or sides of cargo spaces into the square of the hatch before
hoisting. One end is made fast to a pillar or some secure foundation,
the other end being passed round the derrick fall then back to the
pillar, around which a turn is taken, leaving the bight of the bull rope
slack enough to keep the fall from rasping on the underside of the hatch
coaming and to drag the sling of goods more or less horizontally to the
hatchway. The end of the bull rope is then let go and the goods hoisted.
Incidentally, it may be remarked that "bull rope" is the name
given by seamen to any length of rope which is used to prevent something
from chafing or grinding, as, for example, a rope attached to a mooring
buoy^and led up through the end of an outrigger to keep the buoy
from bumping against the ship's stem and bow plating.
Most ships are well provided with derricks and winches for the rapid