| BELLROPES |
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| Last updated 2010-09-06 |
The bellrope is a necessary ancillary to the ship's bell, long considered the 'heart' of a ship. Ship's bells are almost mystical
objects, especially for as superstitious a lot as are sailors. They are polished before all other items and are the last thing to be
removed when a ship is decommissioned or scrapped. US Navy vessels have their names engraved on their bells and when a
ship is struck from the list, the last Commanding Officer usually receives the bell for safekeeping.
The bell-rope is a symbol of the Pride in the ship taken by the crew... battleships and other major vessels will usually have the
fanciest bell-ropes, often the product of several hundred hours of labour by one or more expert knotters. The more detail and
embellishments, the more respect it engenders. This bellrope took me some 70 hours to produce and complete. It is not
particularly fancy, but it is probably the neatest I've ever made. I'd like to thank Marty Combs : he is my source for the #15
codline used in the bellrope's cover and turksheads creation.
The large bellrope was made specifically for the Tamaroa Maritime Foundation which owns and operates the former USS Zuni
(ATF 95) / USCGC TAMAROA (WMEC 166) as a living history museum in the Richmond, Va., area. She is currently berthed in
the Newport News area of Virginia where she will act as a museum and instructional tool for Sea Cadet troops, Boy and Girl
Scouts and other organizations as well as local schools. It is also anticipated that she will be involved in Displays and Sail-ins
along the East Coast in the future. Visit their website HERE for more information on the Tamaroa/Zuni. If WE don't preserve
our history, who WILL?
| BELLROPES |
Bellrope of #15 cotton codline over a "laid" pudding (core). 20" overall from top of eye to finial knot, and 2.75" diameter at the
widest point.
Eye is a 3-strand ringbolt braid (or Spanish Graft) of #7 sail-twine over five cores with a brass thimble insert, to a 5x4 "Square"
TKH covering the thimble to body connexion. Upper two sections are done in a fender-woven "over 2" pattern cover with a 7x6
square TKH at the first size transition, and a 9x8 square TKH at the second size transition. The 3x5 TKHs are purely decorative.
At the second size transition, the covering changes from the fender-weave to a simple grafting stitch of "1-up, 1-down" which,
while a 'simple' graft, still takes about 10 hours to do. Third size transition is covered by an 11x10 square TKH and the end is
done in a 12x11 square TKH (simply because I won't use anything with the number "13" on a bellrope) which also "laps" or binds
in the bottom cover, a 3-strand sewn box-braid which is finished off by a stacked 9x6-star knot.
Appx 3 weeks lead time
widest point.
Eye is a 3-strand ringbolt braid (or Spanish Graft) of #7 sail-twine over five cores with a brass thimble insert, to a 5x4 "Square"
TKH covering the thimble to body connexion. Upper two sections are done in a fender-woven "over 2" pattern cover with a 7x6
square TKH at the first size transition, and a 9x8 square TKH at the second size transition. The 3x5 TKHs are purely decorative.
At the second size transition, the covering changes from the fender-weave to a simple grafting stitch of "1-up, 1-down" which,
while a 'simple' graft, still takes about 10 hours to do. Third size transition is covered by an 11x10 square TKH and the end is
done in a 12x11 square TKH (simply because I won't use anything with the number "13" on a bellrope) which also "laps" or binds
in the bottom cover, a 3-strand sewn box-braid which is finished off by a stacked 9x6-star knot.
Appx 3 weeks lead time
Ringbolt-hitched
eye lanyard and
connexion to body cover
of 'over-2' fender hitching
to 7x6 'square turkshead
eye lanyard and
connexion to body cover
of 'over-2' fender hitching
to 7x6 'square turkshead
'over-2' fender
hitching to 7x6 'square
turkshead covering size
transition to 3x5 3-pass
decorative turkshead
hitching to 7x6 'square
turkshead covering size
transition to 3x5 3-pass
decorative turkshead
3x8 'square'
turkshead
to a 12x11
'square' turkshead
lapping the 3-strand
boxweave end with
a 9x6 finial 'filled' star knot.
turkshead
to a 12x11
'square' turkshead
lapping the 3-strand
boxweave end with
a 9x6 finial 'filled' star knot.
'over-2' fender
hitching to 9x8 'square' turkshead
covering transition in size and
shift to 'simple' graft
cover with 3x5
4-pass decorative
turkshead
hitching to 9x8 'square' turkshead
covering transition in size and
shift to 'simple' graft
cover with 3x5
4-pass decorative
turkshead
Side view of the
end knots showing the
3x8 decorative turkshead
end knots showing the
3x8 decorative turkshead
"simple' graft cover
to last size transition
under 11x10 'square'
turkshead to a 3x8 (5-
pass) decorative turks.
to last size transition
under 11x10 'square'
turkshead to a 3x8 (5-
pass) decorative turks.
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| 10 inch bellrope as shown, $450 |
with ringbolt hitched eye over small thimble, #15
"over-two" fender laid body cover and various
turksheads: flat knob with box-braid endplate.
Turksheads from top: 5x4 in #15, 3x5 in#12, 3x5 in
#15, 3x5 in #12, 6x7 in #12, (2) 3x5 in #15 (4-pass),
7x8 in #15, 3x8 in #12 (4-pass), 9x8 (lapped over end)
in #15. Appx. 2 week lead time.
Same design (approximately) in a six-inch bellrope is
$295 and eight inch at $330.
Each bellrope is unique : size and number to
turksheads varies with overall length.
"over-two" fender laid body cover and various
turksheads: flat knob with box-braid endplate.
Turksheads from top: 5x4 in #15, 3x5 in#12, 3x5 in
#15, 3x5 in #12, 6x7 in #12, (2) 3x5 in #15 (4-pass),
7x8 in #15, 3x8 in #12 (4-pass), 9x8 (lapped over end)
in #15. Appx. 2 week lead time.
Same design (approximately) in a six-inch bellrope is
$295 and eight inch at $330.
Each bellrope is unique : size and number to
turksheads varies with overall length.
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| BELLROPE 20" as shown $1,050.00 |
A bit less ornate but still decorative, this 12" bellrope is made
in the traditional manner by building up a "pudding" or a core of
small lines laid over one another and bound into a cylinder,
then covered with the traditional "fender-hitch" to make the
body. Boxed end lapped by largest turkshead.
The turksheads are applied next and are graduated from a 5x4
"square" turkshead at the thimble eye to two 11x10 "square"
turksheads at the other end. I don't use a 13x12 as nothing
aboard ship should have the number thirteen except time.
The brass thimble eye is, as are all my bellropes, enclosed by
"Spanish Coxcombing" or Ringbolt hitching and the bellrope
comes with your choice of a small or large shackle for
attaching to the ringer-eye on the clapper of the bell. This one
is suitable for a 14" thru 18" bell.
$450.00 as shown. 2 week leadtime.
in the traditional manner by building up a "pudding" or a core of
small lines laid over one another and bound into a cylinder,
then covered with the traditional "fender-hitch" to make the
body. Boxed end lapped by largest turkshead.
The turksheads are applied next and are graduated from a 5x4
"square" turkshead at the thimble eye to two 11x10 "square"
turksheads at the other end. I don't use a 13x12 as nothing
aboard ship should have the number thirteen except time.
The brass thimble eye is, as are all my bellropes, enclosed by
"Spanish Coxcombing" or Ringbolt hitching and the bellrope
comes with your choice of a small or large shackle for
attaching to the ringer-eye on the clapper of the bell. This one
is suitable for a 14" thru 18" bell.
$450.00 as shown. 2 week leadtime.
Note that on this example the turksheads
have been varnished to increase the visual
contrast.
It is intended for display purposes. If for
daily use the entire bellrope should be
re-varnished.
have been varnished to increase the visual
contrast.
It is intended for display purposes. If for
daily use the entire bellrope should be
re-varnished.
| (For those feeling particularly ambitious and who might wish to try their hand at making their own bellrope, I have a tutorial HERE which walks you thru the various steps required. Bring lots of skin, time and patience! |
| I supply my bellropes un-varnished for several reasons: you may have a particular type or colour of varnish you wish to use, you may wish to use a clear or tinted polyurethane instead of varnish, you may wish to coat the work in a clear thin epoxy.... the possibilities are endless. There are several dozen shades of varnish and urethanes available, from "spar" varnish which dries a very dark colour to "Epiphanes", a lighter "caramel" colour, to.... you name it. The real reason is that I'm allergic to oil-based substances, so if you want the rope varnished, I suggest you pick up some samples from the paint store / ship's chandlery and try 'em out on some cotton line to see what you like best, then go for it. They should be protected with something if they are to be used aboard. If for display only, you may safely leave them un-coated. |
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| Bellrope for the ship's bell from USS NICHOLAS (DD/DDE 449) |
You'll pardon me for a moment while I act insufferably proud, but the bellrope below has been chosen by The Destroyer History
Foundation to grace the ship's bell of the USS NICHOLAS (DD/DDE 449) at it's retirement ceremony on Aug. 8, 2008. The
NICHOLAS was named for Major Samuel Nicholas, the Marine Corps’ first commissioned officer and thus, by tradition, the first
Commandant, and her ship's bell was used for all Marine ceremonies at the Marine's HQ, Marine Barracks Washington, from
appx. 1970 until 1997, when it developed a hairline crack. It is being beautifully refinished by the McShane Bell Foundry and will
be hung in a permanent indoor location to honour the ship, the traditional first Commandant and all the men who "went in harms
way" aboard her in three wars. The Nicholas, when decommissioned in 1970, was the most decorated surface ship in the U. S.
Navy. I qvell.
Foundation to grace the ship's bell of the USS NICHOLAS (DD/DDE 449) at it's retirement ceremony on Aug. 8, 2008. The
NICHOLAS was named for Major Samuel Nicholas, the Marine Corps’ first commissioned officer and thus, by tradition, the first
Commandant, and her ship's bell was used for all Marine ceremonies at the Marine's HQ, Marine Barracks Washington, from
appx. 1970 until 1997, when it developed a hairline crack. It is being beautifully refinished by the McShane Bell Foundry and will
be hung in a permanent indoor location to honour the ship, the traditional first Commandant and all the men who "went in harms
way" aboard her in three wars. The Nicholas, when decommissioned in 1970, was the most decorated surface ship in the U. S.
Navy. I qvell.
Traditional all-cotton, 12" long, brass thimble with eight varnished turks heads on white body. Curvature is due to camera lens.
| PLEASE NOTE: All bellrope work requires a 50% deposit before work will begin and full payment upon completion. You can thank some jackass in California for this. |
| All content these pages ©2004-2010 Frayed Knot Arts. All rights reserved. Reproduction or use prohibited without prior written permission. |
An 8" overall long by 2.5" wide bellrope done for Capt. R Moser
of Virginia in early 2011. A number three thimble rather
shortens the apparent overall of the bellrope. End is closed off
by a 9x8 turkshead and various other sizes are done up the
body of "over-two" hitching.
$420.00 2-week lead
of Virginia in early 2011. A number three thimble rather
shortens the apparent overall of the bellrope. End is closed off
by a 9x8 turkshead and various other sizes are done up the
body of "over-two" hitching.
$420.00 2-week lead
This may look similar to the 8" above, but its only 3-5/8" long and it
had to be made up around the thimble AFTER the brass thimble was
forced onto the large bronze shackle. Standard "Big Butt" design
using three 3x5 square turk's heads and then a 9x8 square which
laps over the end and covers the butt. Body covered in "simple"
grafting. Finished off with a 5-point starknot. Altogether a lot of
work and not much fun to do... the shackle's weight kept pulling the
work out of my hands and engendered my learning of some Finnish
sailor-speak. (Did you know you can start or stop a storm by
cursing in Finnish? DAMHIKT!)
$300.00 and a LOT of sweet-talking. 3-week lead.
had to be made up around the thimble AFTER the brass thimble was
forced onto the large bronze shackle. Standard "Big Butt" design
using three 3x5 square turk's heads and then a 9x8 square which
laps over the end and covers the butt. Body covered in "simple"
grafting. Finished off with a 5-point starknot. Altogether a lot of
work and not much fun to do... the shackle's weight kept pulling the
work out of my hands and engendered my learning of some Finnish
sailor-speak. (Did you know you can start or stop a storm by
cursing in Finnish? DAMHIKT!)
$300.00 and a LOT of sweet-talking. 3-week lead.