Longship Company Ship's Manual - 1

Longship Company, Ltd.	1 - Parts of the Ships	Ship’s Manual

1.4 Knots

There are three categories of knots:

Those used to tie the ends of two ropes together are called bends. They are generally sound even when the ropes are of different sizes.

Hitches are used to tie a rope to any other object.

Knots tied in the length of a single rope without direct application of or to anything else are the only class which are properly termed knots.

1.4.1 Figure of Eight Knot This knot is useful as a stopper knot to prevent a line from running through a hole. It is better than an overhand knot because it is easier to untie. The figure of eight is used to make the steerboard fast to the wart of the Gyrfalcon and, in varying configurations, on the Sæ Hrafn’s steering gear and halyards.
The figure of eight knot is also particularly good for slippery synthetic lines.

1.4.2 Reef Knot
(a.k.a. Square Knot) The reef knot should be used only to contain an outward pushing load, such as the rolled portion at the foot of a reefed sail (oddly enough). This knot must never be used as a bend, since it may easily be 'spilled' and slip off. This knot consists simply of two overhand knots in opposite directions. With a third overhand, this knot is used to attach (“bend”) a sail to a yard.

1.4.2.5 Surgeon's Knot A variant of the reef knot, with an extra turn in the second overhand, to make it more secure.

1.4.3 Sheepshank A useful and reliable way to take up unwanted slack in a line without having to disturb the ends.

1.4.4 Bowline This is probably the single most useful knot to know. Anywhere a temporary loop is needed in a line, a bowline will do the job. The bowline is easy to tie, and will not jam.

1.4.5 Strangle Knot A good general-purpose binding knot. It is frequently used in the end of a coiled line to bind the coil. When tied in small line or thread and hauled tight, it is very difficult to untie and may have to be cut off.

1.4.6 Round Turn and Two Half Hitches An excellent general purpose hitch, frequently used to hitch a mooring line to a thwart, or for making the Gyrfalcon fast to her trailer. The round turn is important, as it keeps the half hitches from being drawn up hard against the post.

1.4.7 Clove Hitch An easily made and practical hitch, useful when the direction of the pull is fairly constant. It is excellent for hanging things from a bar. Used with two half–hitches to hitch the halyards to the yard. If used to moor a boat to the dock without immediate supervision, the addition of two half–hitches around the standing part (leading to the vessel) is always prudent.

1.4.7.5 Clove Hitch on a Cleat The Clove Hitch is convenient to fasten a line to a cleat.

1.4.8 Rolling Hitch (or Magnus Hitch) Like a Clove Hitch with an overriding turn, this hitch is the only one which may be used on a smooth surface of something which might roll. Used to hitch the braces to the yard.

1.4.8.5 Magnus Hitch used as a Taut–Line Hitch The Magnus Hitch may also be used to fasten a line to the middle–section of another line.

1.4.9 Sheet Bend If you only learn one bend, this is should be the one. Holds fast even when the lines to be joined are of different sizes and types. Generally used on shipboard to attach a heaving line to a mooring line. This is the same knot as the Bowline, but with two lines.
Also known as the Becket bend.

1.4.10 Double Sheet Bend Doubling the Sheet Bend will prevent it from slipping. If the bend is to remain tied for a long time, this is better than a single Sheet Bend. (Since it shares the same geometry with the bowline, note that a bowline can also be similarly doubled.)
Also known as the Double Becket bend.

1.4.11 Gordian Knot The insoluble tangle that results from not reading this manual. It is important that the appropriate knot be consistently used in each application aboard ship, so that the next person to come by knows how to untie it quickly. If one knot is good, two are not twice as good. More is not always better.

1.4 Knots

There are three categories of knots: Those used to tie the ends of two ropes together are called bends. They are generally sound even when the ropes are of different sizes. Hitches are used to tie a rope to any other object. Knots tied in the length of a single rope without direct application of or to anything else are the only class which are properly termed knots.

Page 4 Longship Company — Ship’s Manual Chapter 1 — Parts of the Ships, § 4

1.4.1 Figure of Eight Knot

This knot is useful as a stopper knot to prevent a line from running through a hole. It is better than an overhand knot because it is easier to untie. The figure of eight is used to make the steerboard fast to the wart of the Gyrfalcon and, in varying configurations, on the Sæ Hrafn’s steering gear and halyards.
The figure of eight knot is also particularly good for slippery synthetic lines.

1.4.1 Figure of Eight Knot
This knot is useful as a stopper knot to prevent a line from running through a hole. It is better than an overhand knot because it is easier to untie. The figure of eight is used to make the steerboard fast to the wart of the Gyrfalcon and, in varying configurations, on the Sæ Hrafn’s steering gear and halyards. The figure of eight knot is also particularly good for slippery synthetic lines.

1.4.2 Reef Knot (a.k.a. Square Knot)

The reef knot should be used only to contain an outward pushing load, such as the rolled portion at the foot of a reefed sail (oddly enough). This knot must never be used as a bend, since it may easily be 'spilled' and slip off. This knot consists simply of two overhand knots in opposite directions. With a third overhand, this knot is used to attach (“bend”) a sail to a yard.
Reef Knot

1.4.2 Reef Knot (a.k.a. Square Knot)
The reef knot should be used only to contain an outward pushing load, such as the rolled portion at the foot of a reefed sail (oddly enough). This knot must never be used as a bend, since it may easily be 'spilled' and slip off. This knot consists simply of two overhand knots in opposite directions. With a third overhand, this knot is used to attach (“bend”) a sail to a yard.

1.4.2.5 Surgeon's Knot

A variant of the reef knot, with an extra turn in the second overhand, to make it more secure.

1.4.2.5 Surgeon's Knot
A variant of the reef knot, with an extra turn in the second overhand, to make it more secure.

1.4.3 Sheepshank

A useful and reliable way to take up unwanted slack in a line without having to disturb the ends.

1.4.3 Sheepshank
A useful and reliable way to take up unwanted slack in a line without having to disturb the ends.

Chapter 1 — Parts of the Ships, § 4 Longship Company — Ship’s Manual Page 5

1.4.4 Bowline
This is probably the single most useful knot to know. Anywhere a temporary loop is needed in a line, a bowline will do the job. The bowline is easy to tie, and will not jam. Bowline

1.4.5 Strangle Knot
A good general-purpose binding knot. It is frequently used in the end of a coiled line to bind the coil. When tied in small line or thread and hauled tight, it is very difficult to untie and may have to be cut off. Strangle Knot

1.4.6 Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
An excellent general purpose hitch, frequently used to hitch a mooring line to a thwart, or for making the Gyrfalcon fast to her trailer. The round turn is important, as it keeps the half hitches from being drawn up hard against the post. Round Turn and Two Half Hitches

1.4.7 Clove Hitch
An easily made and practical hitch, useful when the direction of the pull is fairly constant. It is excellent for hanging things from a bar. Used with two half–hitches to hitch the halyards to the yard. If used to moor a boat to the dock without immediate supervision, the addition of two half–hitches around the standing part (leading to the vessel) is always prudent. Clove Hitch

1.4.4 Bowline
This is probably the single most useful knot to know. Anywhere a temporary loop is needed in a line, a bowline will do the job. The bowline is easy to tie, and will not jam.

1.4.5 Strangle Knot
A good general-purpose binding knot. It is frequently used in the end of a coiled line to bind the coil. When tied in small line or thread and hauled tight, it is very difficult to untie and may have to be cut off.

1.4.6 Round Turn and Two Half Hitches
An excellent general purpose hitch, frequently used to hitch a mooring line to a thwart, or for making the Gyrfalcon fast to her trailer. The round turn is important, as it keeps the half hitches from being drawn up hard against the post.

1.4.7 Clove Hitch
An easily made and practical hitch, useful when the direction of the pull is fairly constant. It is excellent for hanging things from a bar. Used with two half–hitches to hitch the halyards to the yard. If used to moor a boat to the dock without immediate supervision, the addition of two half–hitches around the standing part (leading to the vessel) is always prudent.

Page 6 Longship Company — Ship’s Manual Chapter 1 — Parts of the Ships, § 4

1.4.7.5 Clove Hitch on a Cleat
The Clove Hitch is convenient to fasten a line to a cleat. Clove Hitch on a Cleat

1.4.8 Rolling Hitch (or Magnus Hitch)
Like a Clove Hitch with an overriding turn, this hitch is the only one which may be used on a smooth surface of something which might roll. Used to hitch the braces to the yard. Rolling Hitch (or Magnus Hitch)

1.4.8.5 Magnus Hitch used as a Taut–Line Hitch
The Magnus Hitch may also be used to fasten a line to the middle–section of another line. Magnus Hitch used as a Taut-Line Hitch

1.4.9 Sheet Bend
If you only learn one bend, this is should be the one. Holds fast even when the lines to be joined are of different sizes and types. Generally used on shipboard to attach a heaving line to a mooring line. This is the same knot as the Bowline, but with two lines.
Also known as the Becket bend.
Sheet Bend

1.4.7.5 Clove Hitch on a Cleat
The Clove Hitch is convenient to fasten a line to a cleat.

1.4.8 Rolling Hitch (or Magnus Hitch)
Like a Clove Hitch with an overriding turn, this hitch is the only one which may be used on a smooth surface of something which might roll. Used to hitch the braces to the yard.

1.4.8.5 Magnus Hitch used as a Taut–Line Hitch
The Magnus Hitch may also be used to fasten a line to the middle–section of another line.

1.4.9 Sheet Bend
If you only learn one bend, this is should be the one. Holds fast even when the lines to be joined are of different sizes and types. Generally used on shipboard to attach a heaving line to a mooring line. This is the same knot as the Bowline, but with two lines. Also known as the Becket bend.

Chapter 1 — Parts of the Ships, § 4 Longship Company — Ship’s Manual Page 7

1.4.10 Double Sheet Bend
Doubling the Sheet Bend will prevent it from slipping. If the bend is to remain tied for a long time, this is better than a single Sheet Bend. (Since it shares the same geometry with the bowline, note that a bowline can also be similarly doubled.)
Also known as the Double Becket bend.
Double Sheet Bend

1.4.11 Gordian Knot
The insoluble tangle that results from not reading this manual. It is important that the appropriate knot be consistently used in each application aboard ship, so that the next person to come by knows how to untie it quickly. If one knot is good, two are not twice as good. More is not always better. Gordian Knot

1.3 Stepping and Unstepping the mast


Because of its length, stepping and unstepping the Sæ Hrafn's mast is a ticklish operation, usually involving no fewer than six people. Person #1 holds the forestay with a 20' extension for control as the mast eases up or back. It helps if person #1 is on a dock or the land, for maximum control and leverage. Persons #2 and #3 are stationed one each side of the mast, to lift or lower, and maintain the mast in a vertical position relative to the beam. It is considered uncouth for them to allow the mast to topple overboard sideways. Person #4 is stationed on the next thwart aft and helps to control the mast while it is within his reach. Person #5 is as aft and as high as is practical and safe; this person helps align the mast at the beginning of the operation, and starts by lifting the mast and moving forward as the end moves out-of-reach. If more people are available, add persons #6 and #7 to handle the port and starboard shrouds, and #8 to assist #2 and #3 and brace the butt of the mast as needed. The more the merrier. Sæ Hrafn’s mast is 26' 10" high and weighs 95 lbs without rigging. Its center of gravity is approximately six feet above your head when the mast is upright. It is important that you respect the forces conspiring to bring it down on top of you, and the damage it can cause. No one should attempt to move the mast without announcing their intentions first, and being sure that everyone heard them. Spectators should be kept at a safe distance. By custom, a silver coin is placed beneath the mast. It makes an interesting conversation piece after it has been ground flat from a season of sailing. All standing rigging should be cast off last, before lowering the mast, and set up as soon as possible after raising it. Stepping and unstepping the Gyrfalcon's mast is trivial by comparison. It requires only one person. The only thing to remember is that the end with the square tab is the bottom. (Do not insert the mast upside–down.) This tab is closest to the stern side of the mast, and is to be inserted into the matching hole in the mast fish.