Rope
a large, stout, twisted cord of hemp, of not less, generally, than an inch in circumference. A certain proportion of hemp twisted together forms a yarn, and a number of yarns form a strand.
Three strands twisted together form a rope. Rope is either white or tarred, the latter being the best if liable to exposure to wet, the former if not exposed. The strength of tarred rope is, however, only about three-fourths that of white rope, and its loss of strength increases with time. Rope is designated by its circumference, expressed in inch is issued in coils of 113 fathoms each; marline and hambroline in skeins, spuninches, and yarn in pounds; the latter is made from old rope (junk). Government rope is distinguished by a colored thread, red, blue, or yellow, which runs through it.
Rope used in the artillery service is coiled with the sun, i. e., from left to right, in which direction the yarns are twisted so as to avoid kinking. Coir rope, which comes from Ceylon and the Maldive Islands, is made from the fibrous husk of the cocoanut. Manila rope from the fibers of a species of wild banana. Wire rope, both iron and steel, is also employed; on shipboard, particularly, to a considerable extent.