Unusual rope

[Graham_Wright]

Sometime in the past, I acquired a coil of new rope. Due to the inclement weather and a dearth of interest on TV, I thought I would splice some eyes in the ends of some lengths for mooring lines.

Looking properly at the coil, I realised it was twisted four strand. Each strand is made up of 11 strands each of which have three twisted cores. Down the centre of the whole, is a small stranded core (presumably to make it lay up properly).

The strands have a glossy sheen to them and the whole is very tightly knit.

I gave up until I can find a spike.

Anyone come across this?

 

[Seajet]

Possibly a Dyneema core ? The glossy sheen and central core sound like that or some similar trendy rope.

 

[Graham_Wright]

Possibly a Dyneema core ? The glossy sheen and central core sound like that or some similar trendy rope.

I bought it at a boat jumble around 20 years ago (don't ask!).

Was Dyneema around then?

 

[Seajet]

I bought it at a boat jumble around 20 years ago (don't ask!).

Was Dyneema around then?

I think it was, time flies !

 

[ianat182]

My mooring warps to the buoy are of this 4 strand rope too. I bought it from the Chandlery Barge and it spliced up well. The core is as you mention to keep the shape. Its been 5 years so far since I did mine but I would have preferred three strand to splice,but no different really( easier to use a fid than a round spike).


ianat182

 

[Keen_Ed]

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/shroud-laid

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/luce/part1.htm Text-Book of Seamanship, 1891

"Shroud-laid. Rope, Fig. 16, Plate 7, is formed by adding another strand to the plain-laid rope. But the four spirals of strands leave a hollow in the centre, which, if unfilled, would, on the application of strain, permit the strands to sink in, and detract greatly from the rope's strength, by an unequal distribution of strain. The four strands are, therefore, laid up around a heart, a small rope, made soft and elastic, and about one-third the size of the strands.

Experiments show that four-stranded rope, when under 5 inches, is weaker than three-stranded of the same size; but from 5 to 8 inches, the difference in strength of the two kinds is trifling, while all above 8 inches is considered to be equal to plain-laid when the rope is well made.

Four-stranded rope is now but little used except for lifts, preventer-parrels, Jacob's ladders and rigging laniards."

(ETA - traditionally, rope sizes were given by circumference, not diameter.)

 

[Graham_Wright]

http://oxforddictionaries.com/definition/english/shroud-laid

http://www.hnsa.org/doc/luce/part1.htm Text-Book of Seamanship, 1891

A case where the "Text-Book of Seamanship" was more helpful than "The Manual of Seamanship"!

 

[Graham_Wright]

My mooring warps to the buoy are of this 4 strand rope too. I bought it from the Chandlery Barge and it spliced up well. The core is as you mention to keep the shape. Its been 5 years so far since I did mine but I would have preferred three strand to splice,but no different really( easier to use a fid than a round spike).


ianat182

I managed about 5 tucks last night and it looks a mess! The centre strand keeps getting in the way. The rope is very stiff and I will try a fid - off to ebay. The spike has a very fast taper.

 

[ffiill]

Manual of Seamanship Vol.1 1937
"Four strand rope-Cordage hawser laid tarred,made from European Hemp from 3/12 to 2 inches and supplied in coils of 106 fathoms;it is used for shrouds,stays,Jacob and bottom ladders and c"

 

[Graham_Wright]

Manual of Seamanship Vol.1 1937
"Four strand rope-Cordage hawser laid tarred,made from European Hemp from 3/12 to 2 inches and supplied in coils of 106 fathoms;it is used for shrouds,stays,Jacob and bottom ladders and c"

My issue is more modern (free issue (was!) to SCC and officers) but I'll check again and apologies to the Admiralty!