“In the rigging”. In The South Pole, by Roald Amundsen, 1872-1928. Archival Photograph by Mr. Steve Nicklas, NOS, NGS. Courtesy NOAA
Do you know how to tie a reef knot? A sailor’s life and the safety of the entire crew and ship can depend on the quality of knots he ties. Sailors take pride in being able to match the right knot to a specifi c job, and even modern sailors need to master this skill.
“Topmen, aloft!” sang out the commodore in a piercing voice that rose above the screaming wind and roar of the sea. “Take in the topgallants and royals!” We all raced aloft; but no sooner had these sails been furled and we returned to the deck than the commodore was at us again. “Reef topsails!” he shouted even louder than before. “Away aloft—take in one reef!” Mick and I scrambled up, almost out of breath, into the mizzen-top; which we hardly reached before we heard the commodore give the next order necessary to enable us to take in the reef— “Weather topsail braces, round in! Lower the topsails!”
Bowline
Figure Eight
Clove Hitch
Reef Knot (Square Knot)
Sheet Bend
Organize a knot tying race. Give each contestant five pieces of rope, and see who will be first to correctly tie all five knots. If one knot is wrong, the contestant loses. If this seems harsh, remember that a single badly tied knot can be disaster for mariners at sea.