This illustration shows the process of worming a rope, which consists of winding spunyarn of suitable size into the space between the strands with the lay of the rope, so as to make the rope smooth for parcelling. This must be done with the rope on the stretch. A shows the spunyarn.
This illustration shows the process of parcelling and serving. After the worming is finished wrap narrow strips of canvas—tarred, if the rope is of hemp, and painted if it is of wire—round the rope with the lay, secure the parcelling to the rope by marling it with twine, the rope can then be served against the lay. Lay the serving mallet B with its groove on the rope. Take a turn with the spunyarn round the rope and head of the mallet, round the side next you, and two turns on the other side and twist it round the handle. Get an assistant to pass the ball A round the rope while you heave round the mallet. The last half-dozen turns of the service must have the end of the spunyarn put through them and hauled taut to secure it.
The boat sailer or yachtsman should be able, from close observation of the barometer and the general appearance of the sky, to foretell the weather with a certain degree of accuracy. The aneroid barometer is peculiarly sensitive to all atmospheric changes, and is thus invaluable for meteorological forecasts. A regular code of phenomena has been formulated by meteorologists, from which I take the following:
A rapid rise indicates unsettled weather.
A gradual rise indicates settled weather.
A rise with dry air and cold increasing in summer indicates wind from the northward, and if rain has fallen better weather may be expected.
A rise with moist air and a low temperature indicates a continuance of fine weather.
A rapid fall with westerly wind indicates stormy weather from northward.
A fall with northerly wind indicates storm with rain and hail in summer and snow in winter.
A fall with increased moisture in the air and increasing heat indicates southerly wind and rain.
A fall after very calm and warm weather indicates rain and squalls.
The barometer rises for a northerly wind, including from northwest by north to the eastward, for dry or less wet weather, for less wind, or for more than one of these changes, except on a few occasions when rain, hail or snow comes from the northward with strong wind.