The Busy Shore: Block and Tackle
(Page 2 of 2)
May/June 1973
By Jan Adkins
Hook bends make a line fast to a block's hook. The BLOCKWALL HITCH is simple and secure under steady pull. An ANCHOR BEND is more secure for hoisting jerks. Because a single line might slip, a STROP is often spliced up for hoisting; both bights are slipped over the hook, or one is passed through the other and the single bight is secured to the hook with a CAT'S PAW.
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Gee whiz, but blocks are expensive; probably because they are marketed for construction companies and spiffy yachtsmen. You can make beautiful blocks in any case-rope-stropped blocks whose shells are shaped, drilled, and mortised from blocks of locust, elm, ash, madiera, ironwood, or lignum vitae. Sheaves, washers, pins, and thimbles can be had at a good chandlery. The block is stropped with a rope grommet made from a single ropestrand relaid into itself. It is forced around the shell, holding in the pivot, and seized tight with marline. H.G. Smith's The Arts of the Sailor gives the true 'gen on rope-stropped blocks and other watery marvels—fine book. available in paperback
A patent come along can be very handy. The whole point of this exercise in ink and lampblack is that a couple of folks can move damn near anything by applying and multiplying their strength cleverly... we are strong in our heads.
Aboardship, a winch is often the source for raw power. With a snatch block, the power can be transmitted and directed for almost any purpose. Sailors regularly run aground, and almost as regularly kedge themselves off with their own winches.
Boatyard workers are accustomed to moving 35 ton vessels with four jacks, some wooden rollers, and a winch. Moving smaller boats, a Johnson bar—a large pry-bar with wheels—is useful.
A neglected labor-saver is the old-style barrel. Its subtle workings are no less stupendous and historically important than blocks & tackles.
One man can move and direct huge loads by rolling it on its conves sides.
Two sturdy spars lashed into a simple A-frame can be used to lift and move great weights. Vehicles bogged in mud can be lifted right out with a big A-frame.
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