(I have similar doubts about the "jury mast knot"!)
--dl*
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Makes one wonder if such reported usages were more along the lines of modern day urban legends. (I know someone who knows someone who used it in this way...)
JP
It's much that knotting literature seems to take prior
literature as its reference, not a new (maybe first!)
LOOK at the actual-factual. The Hensel & Gretel
makebelieve world now several editions & many printings
of their huge
Encyclopedia of Knots & Fancy Ropeworkis a grand, in-your-face testimony to the publication
of pure rubbish (with some actual things in the mixture)!
(E.g., I challenge everyone to tie that book's
"Cape Horn Hitch"
--"an old-style hitch now seldom seen.",
a #255 maybe p. or pl. 91 (memory) !?
Re the sheepshank, it's use for a stay would be one
that shouldn't be concerned about lacking tension
--it would be set up with at least some tension and
hold. It's reputed use in holding extra rope of a
"whip" /crane, well, leaves me trying to understand;
and I'd think we could see better evidence of such
usage, had it occurred!?
Re the jury mast knot, that strikes me as having
dubious purchase on a mast to take much force
--Ashely as much concurs in this, in suggesting
the putting in of supporting wood. But, really,
would why would one rely on some clever pulling
out of eyes --which are compromised in their
ability to grip the mast, by having to get around
into each other-- vs. a direct attachment of each
stay; or of making a multi-eye provision in a
dedicated piece of cordage!?
And for supposed use on derricks,
wouldn't the maker of said device anticipate its
need for guy lines with attachment points, and
not require the too-clever-by-half knotting?!
After all, while jury rigging of mast one must
hope is an INfrequent occurrence,
use of a derrick is of the expected, frequent sort!
--dl*
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