discussion A 'soldier's hitch?'

[stona]

I don't know whether many nautical types will read this, but it made me smile.

For context, I was reading the Report of proceedings from HMS Sabre covering her exploits during Operation Dynamo (Dunkirk evacuations) and came across this.



Sabre made ten round trips over the course of nine days and nights, more than any other ship involved in the operation. She brought a total of 5,765 British and French soldiers home to Dover, the highest number recorded for any individual ship. Her commanding officer, Lieutenant-Commander Dean, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his actions on 6 June, and nine of the ship’s crew were mentioned in despatches.

 

[Guest]

Some elaboration may be required here … I’m supposing there’s some joke in there that I’m missing. Does “soldier’s hitch” mean a knot that didn’t hold or something?

 

[stona]

Some elaboration may be required here … I’m supposing there’s some joke in there that I’m missing. Does “soldier’s hitch” mean a knot that didn’t hold or something?

Yes, it's a reference to the inability of non-nautical types to tie proper knots.

I had a friend, now sadly no longer with us, who served in the RN and he referred to any incorrect knot, or attempt at a knot, as 'Two turns and a half bastard'. Taking the pee out of landlubbers' inability to tie knots obviously has a long history and is still going strong.

 

[Waspie]

Knots are the well kept secrets of the General Service arm of the RN.
This ex FAA person only knew 3 knots
Round turn and two half hitches! The Bowline, (life saving knot). Finally, the granny knot!!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Knots are the well kept secrets of the General Service arm of the RN.
This ex FAA person only knew 3 knots
Round turn and two half hitches! The Bowline, (life saving knot). Finally, the granny knot!!

Granny knot is just a reef knot tied inside out isn’t it? Tied up our new clothes line with a turn and two half hitches earlier this year…very useful thing to know. I’m not a matelot myself, neither was my dad, but tying knots were about the only useful thing he ever taught me. I think he got them from his time in the scouts.

 

[The Smythe Meister]

If we're talking knots, what about the old trusty Reef Knot .....Surely a Prince among knots :tongue-out2::tongue-out3:

 

[stona]

Another old friend of mine, thankfully still with us, has a board on which are mounted cords demonstrating all sorts of different knots. There must be about thirty knots on it. He acquired it at some sale, probably a car boot, years ago. It looks like it may once have hung in a pub, maybe one frequented by our jolly matelots.

 

[Waspie]

Granny knot is just a reef knot tied inside out isn’t it? Tied up our new clothes line with a turn and two half hitches earlier this year…very useful thing to know. I’m not a matelot myself, neither was my dad, but tying knots were about the only useful thing he ever taught me. I think he got them from his time in the scouts.

I did a spell as a Scout leader way back. Imagine how disappointed they were when I arrived, ex matelot, totally cr@p at knots!!!!! (but I never got lost on our trails).

 

[Guest]

Another old friend of mine, thankfully still with us, has a board on which are mounted cords demonstrating all sorts of different knots.

For a time back when the gaming club I’m technically still a member of, actually met, we were in the HQ of a local scouting group. They had a board like that on the wall in one of the rooms. A few times, I spent some time looking at it and could follow the knots — until I looked away and tried to work out how to do them without seeing them in front of me.

The only knots I actually know how to tie are simple flat ones, the bows you use for your shoelaces, and a noose The only reason I can do that last one is because it was taught to me at age about 10 or 11 by a school friend who was in the scouts — in gym class using a skipping rope

 

[stona]

I did learn a number of knots, but I only taught the kids four, which I think are the most useful. Reef knot/square knot, bowline, two half hitches and clove hitch.

A sheet bend (or double sheet bend) is useful if you need to join ropes and I would probably add that one today.