Splicing "gang"

[Jim Walsh]

I'm guessing if you completed one splice a day you put in a good days work. Of course an officer was there to ensure you put in a good days work and that you didn't try to walk off with one of those fids

[swhfire21]

The mallet is straight out of the three stooges, bugs bunny and the road runner - "When I nod my head, hit it"

[tjr818]

Great picture, I would love to know the history of it. I love those fenders on the floor (deck?) in the background.

[Neil Gordon]

I can see where "one more tuck just to be sure" might not go over well.

[Steve Laume]

I can see where "one more tuck just to be sure" might not go over well.

I think they are going for a few more. They still have some mighty long tails there. I just wonder how they roll it like you usually do between you hands.

How long is that line and what to they plan to do with it? So many questions generated by one picture, Steve.

[Jim Walsh]

I can see where "one more tuck just to be sure" might not go over well.

I think they are going for a few more. They still have some mighty long tails there. I just wonder how they roll it like you usually do between you hands.

How long is that line and what to they plan to do with it? So many questions generated by one picture, Steve.

I'm with you Steve. I'd love to know "the rest of the story" as Paul Harvey used to say. It would be fascinating to see the rest of that riggers shop. As Tim noted there are some wonderful fenders lying on the floor. My guess would be they were items made during slack time, between big jobs, to ensure the crew were kept productively employed. When I visit the riggers shop and rope walk in Mystic Seaport it's the smell of the pine tar and natural fibers that get my attention.

[Steve Laume]

"it's the smell of the pine tar and natural fibers that get my attention"

The smell of hemp and Pitch Pine, do tend to get your attention, Steve.

[mgphl52]

The smell of hemp and Pitch Pine, do tend to get your attention, Steve.

Especially if the hemp happens to be burning...

[M. R. Bober]

"Two more eyes and we can knock off for the day."

Mitchell Bober
Sunny Lancaster, (Where playing "What's My Line?" can get serious.) VA

[Cathy Monaghan]

I can see where "one more tuck just to be sure" might not go over well.

I think they are going for a few more. They still have some mighty long tails there. I just wonder how they roll it like you usually do between you hands.

How long is that line and what to they plan to do with it? So many questions generated by one picture, Steve.

Just imagine the size of the shackle that will go through that thimble!

-Cathy

[jen1722terry]

That hawser was probably Manila. I'm just old enough to remember splicing Manila with my Dad in the 50s. Hard on the hands.

Wonderful photo!

Terry

[Neil Gordon]

I'm just old enough to remember splicing Manila with my Dad in the 50s. Hard on the hands.

Yes, hard on the hands, but only for the first 10 years or so.

[tjr818]

I love the smell of manila in the morning.
I too remember splicing good old three strand manila. My Dad was always trying to find some of the "good stuff", the four strand.
I'm glad he never found it.