Chapter I: Foreword

The matter contained in this book originally appeared, in substantially the same form, as a series of articles in our monthly publication “Plymouth Products.” The story aimed to make better known an industry previously little understood and thereby to advance the cause of good rope.

First and last this “Story of Rope” has had many interested and responsive readers. Encouraged by the large numbers of requests for it which continually come to us, we are now led to publish it anew and with the hope that in its present improved form it will still further fulfill its original purpose.

PLYMOUTH CORDAGE COMPANY

CONTENTS

PART I

HISTORICAL

CHAPTER PAGE

I Ancient, Mediæval and Tribal Rope-Making 11

II Rope-Making in the Seventeenth, Eighteenth and Early
Nineteenth Centuries 19

PART II

RAW MATERIALS

I Manila Fiber 27

II Sisal Fiber 35

III The Hemps--American, Russian, Italian. Other Fibers 43

IV Pine Tar. 49