Ordinary rope is not waterproof. When a ship anchors in relatively deep water (greater than about 35 metres or 20 fathoms), the anchor and rope that is let down becomes drenched with water, becoming prohibitively difficult to raise again, even with a mechanism like a capstan. This ultimately limits the depths available with ordinary rope to within the weight bearing capacity of the rope. The rope will become so heavy with water it will break.
The traditional instructions, according to the British Royal Navy in the age of sail, are: Three large strands of tightly woven rope of about 200 metres (110 fathoms) in length are themselves tightly woven in a direction counter to the weave, or twist, of the rope and clamped together over intervals to provide one strong length of rope that is effectively waterproof. The three ropes are so tightly wound counter to the weave of the constituent ropes that the fibers are compressed and the individual weaves stressed, sealing out the water and resulting in a length of about 180 metres (100 fathoms), the UK traditional definition of cable length. Using a cable, the raising of the anchor, or any activity involving submerging the cable, is not more strenuous than lowering.
Hawsers are not cables ,they are ropes (since the 13th century) of arbitrary length woven together to increase the strength of the overall line, but are not considered waterproof as the weave of the hawser goes with the weave of the constituent ropes. This has been come to be known as “hawser laid” and “cable laid”. Confusion between cables and hawsers is rampant because both cables and hawsers can be used through the hawsehole.
Interesting as always. You have a great blog.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that, thanks!
DeleteI did not know that.
ReplyDeleteWalz is hawsehole.
ReplyDeleteCouldn't they have used wax or whale oil to repel water? Dang I could've patented that and been rich.
ReplyDeleteWax weakens the strands and evaporates in salt and sun. Whale oil is prohibitively expensive plus it wicks away in the water and makes a mess on deck and would make a stench so powerful as to choke a buzzard.
DeleteHow about tar? Those guys used tar for everything
DeleteDrew458
laid left in its parts and whole. the worming is laid right.
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine it not being at least tar-slushed, it seems there is evidence of it. it has to be stored and dried when not employed to discourage rot.
DeleteRaising an anchor by hand is a hell of a lot more strenuous than lowering it.
ReplyDeleteThat doesn't sound right. The water in the rope that is submerged would be effectively weightless until it came out of the water. The water that the waterlogged rope was sitting in would buoy the water that is in the rope and offset it's weight.
ReplyDeleteCW, you are indeed a gentleman and a scholar! I strive to use my phone for basic communication(mainly my kids)and educating myself. You never let me(and others)down with the educational part! Appreciate the time and effort that you put into it!
ReplyDelete