THE VIDEO MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP COURSE & REFERENCES

WHAT IS MARLINSPIKE SEAMANSHIP? 


Workers splicing 20? hemp cable at HMC Dockyard in 1941 image courtesy Library and Archives Canada

Editor's Note: This post has been updated since original publication and is being established for constant up dating and expansion in the MERCHANT MARINE SECTION. Last update as a post 12/21/2014. For the latest version of this post check the Merchant Marine Interest Section


 Marlinespike seamanship includes but is not limited to knot tying and splicing, it covers the entire subject of the use of "line" (fiber rope) and wire rope in the realm of seamanship. This is not a subject that one can truly master by reading a book but to become a true master some study of certain books and rigging manuals is necessary. That level of skill is rarely needed by the recreational boater. At the professional level the subject includes some important mathematical computations like the computation of breaking strain and safe working load and safety factors. Certainly when hoisting anything of value or human beings using "running rigging" a mariner wants to know that the rigging will safely hold the load. Another computation that especially the professional must master is the computation of mechanical advantage in rigging blocks and tackles. This computation will tell you how much force will be needed to hoist or pull a load rigged for block and tackle. 

 We have scoured the internet and will continue to do so find the free instructional videos that will help anyone to learn basic marlinespike seamanship as it applies to the ordinary or able seaman or the recreational boater. We have also tried to assemble the videos available to help the basically competent gain skills in the more professional levels of splicing, rigging and decorative "fancy work". This video  library is designed to be used as a course of self paced self instruction and as a ready reference work when attempting something unfamiliar. It is meant as a resource for professional mariners including Navy and Coast Guard rated boatswain's mates and recreational boaters alike. Use whatever you need or like. We have divided the videos into various topics and we indicate their approximate lengths. This is a perennial work in progress we post new works when we find them , expand on subjects as new free videos are posted and occasionally may have to pull and replace videos. Check back often and good luck with your mastery of marlinespike seamanship: 

 PD, sailors learning knotting & splicing in a rigging loft

COILING: (about 2 minutes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adxIvci03Qc

"TAMING YOUR ROPES" (5 Minutes, more on coiling and stowing) _ 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSqaax1al3Q

HOW TO FLEMISH A LINE: (about 1 minute)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApddwRSiARE

The Figure 8 Flake: (38 seconds) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpmpni75K48

SHORT INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS:
BASIC KNOTS:

PD USN

7 Basic Knots: 7 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1a2vrhhkIU

Quick Release Knots: 8 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gx6Sof1ZWSY

9 most useful sailing knots; 9 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRrVyz9cVtU&spfreload=10

Tying A Mooring Line To A Cleat 2 Minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMwXjckgiOs 




LONGER AND MORE COMPREHENSIVE INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS:

Old Training Film covering numerous knots, rigging boatswain's chairs, etc., 24 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YbjLb2DG4ic




SPLICING

 Image USN



 THE EYE SPLICE IN # STRAND RIGHT LAID LINE:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UracDq6QAz4

Mooring Eye with Thimble: 14 minutes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Bv_kf23PAM


RIGGING BLOCKS AND TACKLES:

Computing Mechanical advantage and understanding pulley systems: 19 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rztJ4FzAwE

The Crosby Group Basic Principles of Block and Tackle Training Video  35 Minutes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWi53qx_Xv0

DECORATIVE OR"FANCY WORK:

Some examples : 2 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTnrgSJLvkc

How to make the "monkey's fist: 1minute
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gp9w-T2d_NY

How to Tie the Spinal Sinnet by TIAT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E945YzTuUcg&spfreload=10

COXCOMBING:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHPeKSq7ReY

Many more links to videos on "Fancy Work" with any of the above selections. coxcombing and the Monkey's fist are the most commonly known and useful aspects of "Fancy Work " for sailors.



Marlinspike Seamanship Bookshelf

Knotting, & Splicing Shelf 2

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Philippine Navy and Coast Guard Beefing UP

 The Philippines with at least one shoal within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) illegally occupied by Chinese naval forces is building up its naval and coast  guard forces. Recently the Philippine Navy announced the pending purchase two frigates, two helicopters, and three gunboats. All are slated for deployment in the South China Sea where the Dragon is presently running roughshod over watery territory of the Philippines. There is a sense of urgency in these acquisitions. These purchases come hard on the heels of a number of moves by the Philippines to harden potential defenses against China. The Philippines, despite a past history of brutal occupation by Imperial Japan, last year announced that the Republic had no objections to Japan increasing the size and power of the Japanese Naval Self Defense Force, which is actually now among the world's top five navies. Additionally the Philippines has accepted gifts and loans of naval equipment from Japan.  Japan has its own disputes with China over Chinese claims to islands that are Japan's by tradition, long administration, and formal treaty.

 China claims virtually the entire South China Sea and rejects claims by the Philippines,Brunei, Malaysia, Vietnam and Taiwan. These nations have sea border issues among themselves near the margins of their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) as recognized under the current United Nations Law of the Sea Convention. However all of these disputes are based on legal arguments well recognized in the presently applicable international law and it does not appear that any of these nations claim boundaries extending farther seaward than the law allows nor have these disputes come to serious military confrontation. China, however treats the entire South China Sea, an important international shipping route as its exclusive national territory. Not surprisingly the region is full of oil, natural gas ,and rich fisheries.

 The Chinese/Philippine confrontation has been particularly intense since June of 2012 when China illegally seized a rocky semi submerged formation known as Scarborough Shoal, a known rich fisheries resource and a geological feature believed to contain oil and gas. Unable to dislodge the Chinese from this stronghold within their EEZ the Philippines has embarked on a 15 year $2 billion dollar naval modernization program.

 The Contracts were announced on board the Philippine Navy's most powerful ship the BRP GREGORIO del PILAR, which is a former U.S. Coast Guard Hamilton Class Cutter. As the Philippines attempts to build up, China is reclaiming land and creating man made islands over certain shallow shoals, building air strips and even ports on certain islands belonging to her maritime neighbors. The Philippines, a close U.S.ally has brought international arbitration cases against China seeking peaceful settlement of these territorial disputes in accordance with existing international law. China refuses to participate in the arbitration. None the less a ruling is expected in the case sometime in 2015. Vietnam, a virtual Chinese vassal state also filed a case with the UN against China and drew an angry and threatening response from the Dragon

The United States will be supplying Coastal Radars for this build up but South Korea, Spain, France, Taiwan and Indonesia are the bidders so far on the ships and helicopters. The Philippines is building her naval and coast guard defenses as rapidly as her tax revenues and foreign aid allow. Fortunately some of her maritime neighbors are also trying to contain the Dragon to its own waters and are competent small combatant ship builders, so some of the defense spending will contribute to the regional economy. The animosity of the Dragon has done positive good for the Philippine / Japanese relationship and provides Japan with a situation in which her government can explore how best to promote regional collective security while operating within the  essentially demilitarized constitution of Japan.

 PD: by Tomwsulcer

SOUTH CHINA SEAS OFFSHORE DISPUTES READING SHELF

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MARS IS BURPING METHANE....TERMITE FLATULENCE OR SUBSURFACE LIQUID WATER INTERACTION?

Curiosity Rover Detects Martian Methane Burps

A Image courtesy NAS

NASA's Curiosity Rover originally seemed to confirm that Mars had  a pretty much methane free atmosphere. Then recently it has detected short bursts of methane from near by localized sources. These short lived methane burps seem to suggest that something below the Martian surface is producing methane. Our own Namazu introduced our readers a long time ago to the major source of methane in our own atmosphere ...termite flatulence.  http://americanadmiraltybooks.blogspot.com/2013/09/have-you-heard-one-about-termite.html

Is the subterranean methane escaping into the Martian atmosphere of biological origin  or the more rarely observed source of water interacting with certain rock types? Martian versions of termites? But then what do they feed on? Or is the methane detected evidence of underground liquid water? Either way this could be potentially big news. below are links to stories carrying more details. 

Top of Termite Mound by ?????????  Creative Commons Lic.. 


http://www.sciencemag.org/content/early/2014/12/15/science.1261713.abstract


http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26709-curiosity-rover-detects-martian-methane-burps.html#.VJCGhSvF9nh



Shop Amazon - Up to 25% off pre-owned iPhones 

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Denmark Lays Formal Claim To The North Pole

RUSSIA, CANADA, AND NOW DENMARK CLAIM OWNERSHIP OF THE NORTH POLE. Santa Is Not Pleased Nor Was He Consulted

Map of Arctic Vegetation Distribution By Hugo Ahlenius, UNEP/GRID-Arendal  http://www.grida.no/polar/ipy/2843.aspx

Denmark, however may be the first to file a formal claim with the UN. Yesterday Denmark's Foreign Minister Martin Lidegaard filed a formal claim with with the UN for roughly 900,000,000 square miles of the Arctic Ocean which includes the geographic North Pole. 

Russia has been loudly asserting its claim to the North Pole and virtually the entire Arctic Ocean which it wants to rename the "Russian Sea". But Russia has not filed a formal claim with the appropriate United Nations forum. Canada has also more quietly announced a claim that extends to and includes the North Pole but maintains it is gathering evidence for its claim and has not filed yet. Denmark beat everyone to the court house steps. The U.S. would like to see some element of the commons maintained in the Arctic ocean and be able to enjoy its UN recognized exclusive economic zone off of the Alaska coast undisturbed. Greenland and the remaining High Arctic stake holders have yet to forcefully articulate positions as yet.  

This move by Denmark  comes amid fears that geopolitical tensions are rising in the Arctic.Things had been rather cooperative until oil was not only discovered, but Russia actually began production in the High Arctic. Prior to the Russian production activity, the countries bordering the polar region � the five Nordic states, Canada, Russia and the US � set up the Arctic Council to which they invited states such as China, South Korea and Japan as observers.

Russia is increasing its military presence in the Arctic and animosity on both side over the Russian seizure of the Crimea is fueling concern that the High Arctic may cease to be an area of relatively peaceful cooperation. At present the recognized international regime is that each Arctic coastal nations has an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) extending roughly 200 miles offshore from their coast line. But now three nations are claiming overlapping extended EEZs and Russia, in bear like fashion, is claiming almost the entire ocean. Russia is building Arctic military bases, and actively drilling for and producing oil. Russia has an abundance of ice breaking ships while the U.S. has only two, one relatively small and the heavy duty one past retirement age. Meanwhile the rival claimants to the North Pole are engaged in lawfare based on the United Nations Convention On The Law Of The Sea which the United States has still not ratified. 

 At the heart of the dispute is the roughly 2,000 mile long Lomonosov Ridge that runs from just off the coast of Greenland and Canada to the sea above eastern Siberia. Denmark claims almost the entire ridge while Canada and Russia claim parts. The conflicting claims appear to be exacerbating tensions beyond the High Arctic. Denmark and Russia are experiencing aircraft and vessel incidents in the Baltic. Last Friday a Danish commercial passenger plane had to take evasive action relative to a Russian military aircraft. Most analysts agree that Russia's response.

 Meanwhile the rest of the world still thinks of the North Poles as part of the global "commons", or if there is private ownership that would be Santa Clause and he wasn't consulted any more than the rest of us.

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CAN INDIA BECOME A SUPERPOWER?

 PD (Govt.Origin)

 India is the world's largest democratic nation. Its economy is growing and if you are a regular follower of our coverage of the Indian navy you know while still growing and reforming it is impressive. Can India become a superpower? We present three videos we recently found that explore this concept. The first is an exploration of India's history, borders, geography, government and economy and political problems. In just 13 minutes you will have a background on India that would normally take you weeks of reading. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXZ4pRhY-kU

 The second video examines the pertinent question, can India become a superpower? This video which lasts only a little over 3 minutes looks at innovative entrepreneurial activity among India's young new college graduates and responds in the affirmative predicting that India will be an economic superpower in ten years.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkH3Qcqgr9M

 INS Vikrant (R11) with a Sea King helicopter during Indo-Pakistani war of 1971 (Photo Indian Navy) 

Finally, India as a Superpower an ABC Documentary:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNnE1MdxoS0  which pretty much views India as an already emerging superpower and a rather likable one.

 What are our thoughts on India as a Super Power?  We have cheered the rise of Indian naval power since our start up as a blog because the Indian Ocean needs a guardian and Britain passed the baton to the U.S. which with its global taxing all of its ever shrinking naval resources is hard pressed for the role. So why not the Navy of a large, committed democracy? As pointed out in the ABC documentary economically we are profitably allied with India at the corporate level even if India remains officially a "non aligned nation."  The U.S. and India appear to be on parallel and complimentary courses. We see no reason not to encourage that evolution. But in doing so we must respect India's choices, treat them as an equal and not presume that we are the tutors. We are fellow travelers and students on the road to wide spread prosperity and security. We both face dangers within and without, let,s never be a danger to each other.

 Of course we have to admit that we spend at least half the year in Louisiana where they raise Brahman Cattle for their heat resistance, the popular governor is a first generation Indian American, the the Flagship University has a Tiger for its mascot, and the climate and terrain resemble parts of southern India and the population is just as diverse but convinced that there is no better place on earth. People from especially South Louisiana seems predisposed towards understanding India and liking the place and people. Go Tigers!

Johnas Presbyter, Editor


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zXZ4pRhY-kU

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BOOK REVIEW: FIRE ON THE WATER

CHINA, AMERICA, AND THE FUTURE OF THE PACIFIC by Robert Haddick

Link To: FIRE ON THE WATER      HARD AND SOFT COVER

 
FIRE ON THE WATER


According to Robert Haddick many U.S. policy experts are unaware of the threat that China's naval expansion and modernization poses to America's national interests in the Asia-Pacific region. He maintains that within a decade China will have the military power to place U.S. influence throughout East Asia at risk. We have been saying for nearly three years in our "HOW FAR WILL THE DRAGON SWIM" series of posts that China intends to push the U.S. Navy back to Pearl Harbor. They won't need a decade to do it if we continue shrinking our own fleet while Muslim and Russian generated unrests continues to create a need for our naval presence outside of the Pacific Basin. According to Haddick to avoid future trouble , the United States needs to fashion a new and more competitive strategy  that better matches the strengths of the United States and its allies against China's vulnerabilities. Our own senior maritime analysts the Great Namazu warned of the dangers of Chinese naval emergence and suggested a new strategy years ago in his post "DON'T GET SUN TZUED"

 U.S. naval presence in the China Seas is preferable to encouraging the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Japan to counter China on their own. Such an alliance would likely result in an unstable arms race. That could result in a conflict that would disrupt America's commercial routes through the Pacific. China's strategy of conquest relies on its rapidly expanding naval and coast guard forces as well as shore based ship killing missiles. The United States has been very slow at countering China's rising naval power. Haddick proposes far reaching changes to U,S, naval policy, diplomacy  and strategies to strengthen deterrence and  bolster U.S. credibility in the region. Haddick notes that historically the rapid arrival of a new great power has usually resulted in conflict. Haddick believes the U.S., China, and neighboring Asia can avoid that fate if America adopts a more competitive strategy to influence China's choices and thus maintain the region's stability and prosperity.

 We maintain that the Middle Kingdom is inherently imperial and in the end can be contained only by massively superior fire power.

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Navy Rescinds Bill Cosby�s Honorary Chief Petty Officer Title

Navy Veteran Bill Cosby Dropped From The Rarified Rolls Of  Honorary Chief Petty Officer 

Bill Cosby was presented as an Honorary Chief Hospital Corpsman in 2011. The U.S.Navy dropped him from the rolls of honary chiefs on Dec.4,2014  Photo U.S. Navy

 As some of us here at American Admiralty Books are in fact former Chief Petty Officers ourselves and long time fans of Bill Cosby. We view the Navy's dropping of Bill Cosby under the circumstances with very mixed feelings. Chief Petty Officers are required to uphold, demonstrate, and encourage the "core values" of our Navy. Here is the announcement that revoked Mr. Cosby's status: 

"By Secretary of the Navy Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Michael Stevens today said the Navy is revoking Bill Cosby's title of honorary Chief Petty Officer, originally presented in 2011. The Navy is taking this action because allegations against Mr. Cosby are very serious and are in conflict with the Navy's core values of honor, courage and commitment.

Cosby enlisted in the Navy in 1956 and served for four years as a hospital corpsman before being honorably discharged in 1960 as a 3rd Class Petty Officer."

 We certainly agree that if the allegations against Mr. Cosby were proven true that such behavior is definitely not in keeping  with the core values of the Navy. But in fact nothing has been proven against Mr. Cosby and it is unlikely that anything ever will. It has been pointed out by the media,which just couldn't wait to run the stories, that the allowable time for both criminal charges and civil suits had expired. So why, one by one,did these women level charges at Mr. Cosby at this time?  Of course its politically incorrect to question women who make sexual allegations and we have no facts to challenge them with. On the other hand we haven't seen any real evidence presented. More importantly there are no forums in which any evidence is likely to be tested. Some will say then why doesn't Mr. Cosby file suit against his accusers for slander. We can easily see two good reasons. First the time elapsed. There is a reason why courts bar "stale cases", witnesses and real evidence have a way of disappearing over time. Mr. Cosby may not be legally time barred from filing suit but given the elapsed time he would face all of the practical problems that cause the court to time bar the women from bringing charges or suit. Someone responded to the Secretary of the Navy and the MCPON's announcement dropping Mr. Cosby from the honorary Chief's roles thusly:

 Austin Mansfield � 

"When I was growing up, I used to laugh at the Soviet History model of "undoing" something that actually happened and claiming it was really Soviet all along (a Russian discovered America; a Russian invented the light bulb; etc.), or pretending someone never existed (e.g., the city of Stalingrad being changed back to St. Petersburg, following the "un-Stalinizing of the USSR). An honorary chief is not really a chief, just as an honorary doctorate is not a real degree. So the Navy, in essence, has declared it is making believe it never gave a make-believe honor to Mr. Cosby, or worse yet � revoking something that doesn't really exist. All to appease public outcry demanding punishment for statements against him � not charges � merely to avoid potential negative publicity. SECNAV and MCPON may now claim the dubious distinction of perpetrating the first honorary lynching."

 We have to tell you that as Chief Petty Officers we disagree with Mr. Mansfield's description of an honorary Chief's appointment as a "make believe honor". We regard asserting that someone has "the right stuff" to represent the honor and traditions of the Chief Petty Officer Corps very seriously. We would certainly be ashamed if Mr. Cosby were proven guilty of the allegations leveled against him. But the Secretary of the Navy and the Master Chief Petty Officer of The Navy seem to have forgotten that one of our most important core values is respect for and the defense of the U.S. Constitution. We believe in due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty which is enshrined in the constitution we protect and in our own Uniform Code of Military Justice. We didn't give the title lightly and we don't want it revoked out of mere political correctness. 

 Some Chief Petty Officers in recent years have faced court martial over similar claims that proved false, just women with an axe to grind. Thankfully their letters patent granting them the rank of Chief, Senior Chief, or Master Chief Petty Officer weren't simply revoked upon receipt of accusations. The evidence was tested and found lacking. In those cases where the allegations were in fact tested and found true no Chief Petty Officer walked out of the military tribunal still a Chief. Mr. Cosby, an honorary member of the brotherhood of Chief Petty Officers was not accorded any due process but was dismissed from the corps by administrative fiat without any testing of the facts. This was political correctness at its worse. 

 If the allegations can be tested to accepted rules  of evidence test them and let the chips fall where they may. If they can not be tested then the accused may not be punished. By further impuning Mr. Cosby's honor without proof the Navy has not upheld its core values of treating all people with respect, and respecting truth and due process. Honorary Lynching?  It feels like it. It was definitely a demonstration that powerful people to day do act on political correctness without regard to truth or due process and impose real consequences on individuals. We can assert with great confidence that the title of Chief Petty Officer was an honor that Bill Cosby treasured and it was taken because political correctness was more highly valued than fairness, or due process.

 Pulling the MCPON into the revocation was meant to add legitimacy to the punitive action because no one would ever be appointed an honorary Chief over the objections of the Corps of Chiefs. So the "Dean of Chiefs" added his signature to the revocation. We believe this undermined the office of Master Chief Petty Officer of The Navy. It diminishes his perception as an independent and experienced advisor and paints him in the position of "Company man". This is a very sad event. The Navy would have been well advised to wait on events but did the politically correct thing instead and took punitive action before there was any certainty that it was the honorable thing to do.   

We're not the only Navy vets who think so here are some samples of comments from around the internet: 

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  CharleyA � 4 days ago

  Bad move, Navy. There is something called due process, which members are sworn to defend.

USN RET � 4 days ago

Political Correctness strikes again .....based on unsubstantiated

 claims, devoid of actual charges..........whatever happened to 

innocent until PROVEN guilty.....

 We found two different reports of the event  each with more than half a dozen comments, only one defended the Naval action. Do we really want to live in a society where one can be ruined by unproven accusations? Does the U.S. Navy want to lead in that direction. 

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