Lines are classified by both theirconstruction and their material. Nearly allline used in the Navy is three-strand line.Line is made by twisting fibers intothreads (or yarns), threads into strands, andstrands into rope. Taking the process further,ropes twisted together form a cable—an itemseldom seen nowadays. Most of our lines arethree-strand and right-laid; that is, as youlook along a line, the twist is to the right.During construction of natural fiber line, alubricant is added that also serves as apreservative.Large line is measured by circumference. Line 1 3/4 inchesand under in circumference, called small stuff, is identified by thenumber of threads in the line. A line with twenty-four thread is 11/2 inches in circumference. Inasmuch as the numbers of threadsper strand are equal, thread numbers in a three-strand line aredivisible by 3—24, 21, 18, and so on, down to thesmallest—6 thread (3/4 inch). Line from 1 3/4 inches to about 4inches is manufactured in 1/4-inch graduations. The length of allline and wire rope is usually measured in feet.The chart shown below lists tips on the care of natural fiberline. You should be thoroughly familiar with them and observethem at all times.7-9Student Notes:NEVER ALWAYSStow wet or damp line in an unventilatedcompartment or cover it so that it cannot dry. Mildewwill form and weaken the fibers.Dry line before stowing it.Subject line to intense heat nor unnecessarily allow itto lie in the hot sun. The lubricant (natural oils) willdry out, thus shortening the useful life of the line.Protect line from weather when possible.Subject a line to loads exceeding its safe workingload. To do so may not break the line, but individualfibers will break, reducing the strength.Use chafing gear (canvas, short lengths of old firehose,and so on) where line (or wire) runs over sharp edges orrough surfaces.Allow line to bear on sharp edges or run over roughsurfaces. The line will be cut or worn, reducing thestrength and useful life.Slack off taut lines when it rains. Wet line shrinks, andif the line is taut, the resulting strain may be enough tobreak some of the fibers.Scrub line. The lubricant will be washed away, andcaustics in strong soap may harm the fibers.Coil right-laid line to the right (clockwise).Put a strain on a line with a kink in it.Inspect a line before using it. Overworked oroverstrained line will have a bristly surface. Mildew canbe seen, and it has peculiar, unpleasant odor. Untwist theline so that the inner parts of the strands can be seen. Ifthey have a dull, grayish look, the line is unsafe.Try to lubricate line. The lubricant you add may domore harm than good.Give line the care it deserves—someday your safetymay depend on it.
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