Modern times have produced modern materials and methods. We now have nylon and polyester instead of hemp and manila, anchorplait and braid instead of hawserlaid and shroudlaid.
Undoubtedly modern man-made materials are far superior to the old ropes in strength and durability. Natural fibres were of course prone to rot, and in a marine environment where they were constantly exposed to wet and damp a careful watch had to be kept on all cordage.
Hemp used to be the fibre most commonly used in rope manufacture, having lightly tarred yarns to give it anti-rot protection. Widely used for running rigging, hawsers, and small boats cables. Untarred, it was known as White Hemp.
Each type of natural fibre rope had it's own particular use; coir rope, also known as grass line, was made from coconut fibre and was very light and buoyant and would float, making it eminently suitable for warps, rocket lines, life buoy lines, and drift nets. Manila rope was good for reef points, yacht warps and wherever tar (hemp) would be injurious. It was also an excellent rope for towing as it had a good spring, but not suitable for running rigging as it swells when wet. Cotton rope was usually only good for fancy work.
Sisal rope, made from the fibre obtained from leaves of the Agave plant which was an 'Empire Product', was investigated by the Royal Navy as a substitute for Manilla. It was found to become very slippery when wet and sailors were warned to take extra care when working it round a cleat or bollard.
Rope construction consisted of yarns, strands, and lay-ups. The yarns were formed by twisting the fibres right handed, the strands by twisting or laying up the yarns left handed, and the rope then by laying up the strands right handed.
A cable laid rope was formed by laying up three ropes left handed, therefore it contained nine strands. Hawser laid ropes were made up of three strands laid up right handed, while four strands laid up right handed became shroud laid rope.
Another thing, rope was always measured by its circumference and not, as happens today, by diameter.
