Knots

[JimC]

The zeppelin bend looks interesting, but the supposed origin may be mythical. )

Not mythical, it really was used for mooring airships. It's also sometimes called the Rosendahl bend after Charles Rosendahl who was Commander of the Naval Air Station at Lakehurst and insisted on it's use with the US Navy's airships. Rosendahl had been present as US observer on some of the Zeppelin proving flights and may have learned of the knot then. Incidentally, Lakenhurst was later the scene of the Hindenburg disaster.

 

[LittleSister]

Two bowlines unless you want to spendhalf the night you were supposed to be asleep figuring out how to tie some kinda snakes orgy.

 

[requiem]

Not mythical, it really was used for mooring airships.

That's actually why I mentioned that; there doesn't seem to be good evidence to support that story. Digging a bit finds examples of mechanical systems, even the rolling hitch, for use in airship docking, but not this bend (which apparently even Rosendahl denied knowing about).

There's a detailed write-up on the knot at http://www.paci.com.au/knots.php (see row 4) with a few pages at the end attempting to trace the origins of the knot.

 

[JimC]

Thanks for the reference which is very interesting. I note that, whilst is some doubt about the knot's origin, there are no arguments as to its effectiveness.

I quote:

The Zeppelin bend belongs to the end-to-end family of knots. It is remarkable because it is resistant to jamming and it is both secure and stable. These three properties combined are what make this particular knot remarkable."

 

[Ruffles]

Yet another opinion!
I always join ropes for abseiling by a simple reef knot or sheet bend - don't care which - but finishing each end with a double fisherman. I'm still alive - but that may be simply luck!
The double fisherman is bomb proof but impossible to undo once loaded. But the knot in the middle takes the load. And it's easily understandable which is important when you are cold and stressed.

 

[Neeves]

There is a lot to be said for carrying at least one, very, long line so that you do not need to tie any knots at all. In higher latitudes using long shore lines, 2- 4 of them, is normal (as Frank might confirm).

if people used shore lines more frequently, such that they become 'normal' (as Med mooring is considered normal) many small anchorages would be able to hold many more yachts.

Jonathan

 

[LittleSister]

if people used shore lines more frequently, such that they become 'normal' (as Med mooring is considered normal) many small anchorages would be able to hold many more yachts.

Heaven forfend!