CORDAGE FROM SISAL

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 130, 5 June 1933, Page 3

CORDAGE FROM SISAL

TESTS BY ADMIRALTY

PARTIAL ADOPTION

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

LOXDOX, MarA 31. Tho Admiralty, desiring to make use Of Empire produce so far as possible, has been carrying out experiments with gordago manufactured from sisal hemps. Tests were commenced in 1926 in conjunction with tho Imperial Institute Advisory Committee on Vegetable Fibres to ascertain the degree to which ropes manufactured from Empire hemp could resist tho action of sea-water as compared with ropes made from manila. Over a six months' exposure period, the sisal compared very closely with the manila. In the final stages of the twelve months' trials the manila gave the best results. Generally, however, the sisal fibre can bo regarded as satisfactory so far as its capacity to resist the action of sea-water is concerned. A large number of satisfactory reports on the use of sisal for general purposes were received. Generally, as regards flexibility and easo of handling, it was considered to be up to the standard of manila, and except in a few instances no difficulty was experienced as regards swelling. In some cases, when used for tackles, noticeable stretching was reported, and, when wet, it is inclined to become slippery and needs care in handling. In summarising the results it is stated in a report issued by the Imperial Institute that the following defects can be definitely regarded as peculiar to marine cordage made from sisal. 1. Shrinks in length when wet and requires tending continbally in wet ■weather. 2. Swells when wet, although, except in two or three isolated cases, it was insufficient to interfere with its working through blocks. 3. Elongates considerably under load, particularly when wet, and in some cases becomes definitely^ long jawed. Under some conditions it tends to return to size after load is removed, but generally the extension is more or less permanent. 4. Becomes greasy and slippery, is difficult to handle when wet, and greater care is necessary when working it round a cleat or bollard. 5. After prolonged use it tends to chafe and fray, and becomes _ discoloured. • In considering, the results of the trials, tho question of sisal being an Empire product must bo given prominence. If the two fibres—sisal and manila —were on an equal footing as regards their origin, the results of the trials would not warrant any departure from the existing practice. _ As, however, tho policy of the Admiralty is to give a preference to products of the Empire, the results are regarded as sufficiently promising to warrant the partial adoption of sisal, and (so long as supplies of sisal can be obtained at satisfactory prices) arrangements are being made for 50 per cent, of the service requirements for towing hawsers, heaving and hauling lines to bo mado from sisal, also for its entire adoption in the manufacture of cordage for about thirty different purposes. _^____—»——