Yea, and we in Navy Boot Camp had to learn them all. It was called "Marlinspike Seamanship". As far as the Navy was concerned, we were still on sailing ships.
FYI - A "Marlinspike" is a wooden tool that is tapered to a point (not sharp) that was used to dig apart tight knots and reshape them. It is also called a "Fid". It was usually made from a very hard wood with a tight grain, like Maple. It was teamed up with a leather palm pad that helped push it. These tools were different sizes and often custom made by a dedicated "Boatswain" (pronounced "Bos'n") who was tasked with attending to the rope needs aboard ship.
It occurs to me that the original use of an actual Marlin's Spike probably gave rise to its name.
Nor I as a Radarman P. O. - 1966 to 1970
RD 2, 1966 - 1970, Brown Water - 18 months shore duty in Viet Nam. Never served aboard ship. Last duty station NAS, Boca Chica, Key West, FL Don't we old "Salts" love to trade stories!?
The life we lived is unlike that of any ground pounder.
Thank you for your service!
I always had people wondering how I, as a Radarman, was able to spend 4 years in and not go to sea. Luck of the Draw! I almost failed the swimming test because I'm not buoyant at all - couldn't float! Had to go to Dummy Swimmers Class to learn to float. The best I could do was barely keep my face out of the water for any length of time. So I was happy being on land.
Ah, I remember it well, the frozen boards we brought in off the line tied with clothes stops. That was Fall to Winter '66 at Great Lakes.
Bringing the