Small Block
Description
Five blocks recovered from the site are small single sheaved blocks with a length of c.100mm some of which were found complete with ropes and formed at tackle.
SCW435 was found complete with a strop, made from about 10-12mm diameter (1 ¼-1½ circumference) rope, joined with a short splice consisting consists of just one tuck each way (standard practice today is normally 3, but occasionally just 2 Figure 15. However Ashley (1944) states that this is often used on the strops of single blocks, thicker blocks requiring more tucks).
The strop was seized (Figure 17), to form a soft eye but the condition was such that it was not possible to determine the exact material used, but there was evidence of frapping turns as well as basic wrapping turns.
