 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
||
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
he BowlineThis knot is probably one of the better known knots because many people know the funny story which accompanies its tying.
The Bowline is one of those knots which was probably invented during the time of the square rigged sail ships you know from pirate movies in the 17th and 18th century. The name is derived from bow line which was a rope that was used to hold the weather leech of a square sail forward and prevent it from being taken aback. In English, this means that the rope is tied to the windward edge of one of the square shaped sails to keep it forward and prevent it from moving backward or collapsing. Captain John Smith said in 1626, is that "The Boling Knot is so firmely made and fastened by the bridles in the creengles of the sailes, they will breake, or the sail split before it will slip." Side note: Yes, this is the Cpt. John Smith of "Pocahontas" fame
Budworth puts the breaking strain of this knot at 60%. This means that it weakens the rope by 40%. For comparison, the simple Overhand knot which is the first part of the Bowknot you use to tie your shoes, has a breaking strain of only 40%. There seems to be some contention as to the effects that knots have on rope. Ashley tells of his own experiments in which he finds that knots don't necessarily weaken the rope because if a rope breaks it is usually not within the knot but just before it. He explains this with the rigidity of rope and how this inflexibility of rope may cause it to break in that spot. Be it as it may, the Bowline is one of the more secure knots known in terms of slipping and lies about mid-range in its breaking strain.
The Bowline belongs to the class of single loop knots. A loop knot distinguishes itself from a similar class, called a hitch, from forming a loop that will not collapse when removed from the object around which it is tied, that means the loop is tied in the rope itself and not specifically around something else.
The Bowline is also a true knot in the sense that can be opened again. Imagine you have to pull your car out of a ditch and you need to tied a loop to attach to your car. Most people would simply tie a loop (you know the one, make a loop in a rope and then tie a knot, an overhand knot). After you have pulled your car out of the ditch you will either have to work really hard to open the knot or will have to cut the end of the rope with the knot off. The Bowline can be easily opened, even after having towed a car. It can also be used to form what is called Running Bowline or Noose. This is basically a sling, like on a lariat or lasso.
The story I mentioned before goes like this, in many variations.
"Form a little lake in the rope. There is a dog in the lake. The dog comes out of the lake, runs around the tree and jumps back into the lake."
This little story works well and is easily remembered when you show somebody what you are talking about. However, although I don't want to get to deeply into this, just as heraldry has blazon as a means to describe precisely how arms are to be drawn, so does knot tying have its own language to avoid ambiguities. In more proper terms, the story goes "Take the working end in your right hand, the standing part in your left. Pass the end over the standing part, forming a single turn. Pass the working end from underneath through the turn, pass underneath the standing part and enter the turn again. Pull the turn tight."
But, as always, a picture says a thousand words.
To practice this knot, use soft rope or cord. Tie it several times and practice opening it. To do so, simply take the small loop that will have formed around the standing part (the tree) and flip it up towards the big loop, going underneath the knot. That will loosen the entire knot.
Use it whenever you need a noose of some sort and have to put a lot of strain on it.
When lashing down a load on your car to go to camp, use it as the loop through which you lead the end of the rope to tighten down the load.
When hooking your tent line around the spike on top.
To fasten you mug to your belt by tying the bowline through the handle
To connect to ropes by interlacing two bowlines.
Ashley, Clifford W., "The Ashley Book of Knots", Doubleday, New York, 1993
Budworth, Geoffrey, "The Knot Book", Sterling Publications, New York, 1985
Smith, Captaine John, "An Accidence, or The Pathway to Experience Necessary For All Young Seamen", London, 1626
A bit of information on Captain John Smith
Major Works:
Biography:
John Smith, born in England in 1580, was an adventurer from the time he was a young boy. At age sixteen he left home to become a soldier of fortune, serving with Austrian forces and travelling around Southeast Europe for five years. He excelled as a soldier, distinguishing himself in battle and earning a coat of arms. During one of these battles he is said to have been captured and presented as a gift to Tragabigzanda (the Turkish Pasha’s wife). As the story goes she fell in love with him, and for his safety sent him as a slave to her brother. He escaped, returned to London, and soon set sail with the Virginia colonists for Jamestown. There his brave and adventurous nature was a great help to the colonists especially in dealing with hostile Indians. He was taken prisoner again, this time by the Indian Chief Powhatan. Here we get our classic story of Captain John Smith and his rescue by the Indian princess Pocahontas. He continued with a life of accomplishment and adventure, and at one time was head of the Jamestown colony. He died in London in 1631.