Tag: knots

CLIFFORD ASHLEY, KNOTMASTER

The New Bedford Whaling Museum is currently showing an exhibit about Clifford Ashley, painter, historian, knot tyer. He was so much more, but one has to pay attention to understand him.

I grew up reading “Ashley’s book of knots”, I learned most the the knots show. I still tie knots. I have read all his books and have many photographs of the later whale ships of New Bedford.

New Bedford at the height of the whaling industry was a rich and prosperous city. The architecture of the city still reflects it’s grandeur.

KNOTS
CLIFFORD ASHLEY
PULPIT IN SEAMAN’S BETHEL

WHALE VERTABRAE
SPERM WHALE TOOTH

KNOTS

I have always been fascinated by knots. It was what every sailor knew when I was young. I was taught by the professional sailors of the era. My first attempt was the black and white belt.I was 13 years old. I no longer remember the name of the string I used but it was still sold in chandleries expressly for macrame.

These professionals told be of a shop specializing in macrame near the docks in Brooklyn. I took a while, but I hitchhiked and found the shop; however the man who owned it was old and had failing health, so all I could do was to gaze in the window.

I still tie knots, I suppose much like someone who knits. During the America’s Cup Jubilee there was a Frenchman (not the one in the video) tying knots on the dock; we had a duel of sorts, testing the other’s knowledge of knots.