appear as in Fig. 88.

[Illustration: Fig. 88.]

To finish off, tuck the ends as in a short splice, but _with_ the lay
of the rope, that is, so that the tuck will continually take place
around the same strand, and taper off gradually by reducing the yarns
in the strand.

(5). +To Make a Grommet+, cut a strand about three and a half times
the length of the grommet required. Unlay the rope carefully and keep
the turns of the strand in. Close up the strand in the form of a ring
(Fig. 89), and then pass the ends round and round in their original lay
until all the intervals are filled up (Fig. 90), and then finish off
the two ends as in a long splice (Fig. 91).

[Illustration: Fig. 89. Fig. 90. Fig. 91.]

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WIRE SPLICING.

In splicing wire, great care should be taken to prevent kinks getting
in the rope or strands.

With steel wire, always before working it, put a stop on at the place
to which you intend to unlay, and also put a good whipping of twine at
the end of each strand.

Steel wire is six-stranded right-handed, and has a heart of hemp.
Flexible wire has a heart of hemp in each strand.

Crucible wire is made in the same manner, except that the strands are
wire throughout.

Crucible wire is used for standing rigging and flexible wire for
purchases, etc.

In splicing wire all tucks are made with the lay of the rope.

In making an eye splice the rope is handled better if hung up in a
convenient position so that when standing up the eye will be at about
the level of the chest of the person working.

A long tapering steel marline-spike is required, and after placing it
under a strand do not withdraw it until the tuck is made and all the
slack of the strand drawn through.

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There are several methods in vogue for tucking the strand, but the
following is as good as any:--Tuck the first strand under two strands
and all the rest under one strand respectively. Tuck whole again, and
this time each strand under one strand, then halve the strands and tuck
again.

To make a neat splice do not haul the part of the rope that has not
been unlaid too close to the neck of the splice, and in tucking the
strands never take a short nip but take long lays.

In unlaying for a long splice, always unlay two strands simultaneously,
to keep the rope in its original lay. For a fair-sized rope unlay
about 9 ft. of each end.

Proceed as in rope splicing, and after the three pairs of strands are
in t