IN PIOnEERlnB Requirements

L Hand-coil a length of rope. rocks, etc., using rope and na­ Describe kinds of rope, (b) tural materials; OR, using rope, care of rope, (cJ weakening build a conveyer cable system for effect of . hauling materials over a ravine or np a steep hillside. 2. Tie 10 knots and hitches and explain their specific use in G. Following an approved design neering. Include , clove and using square, diagonal, and hitch, two half hitches, tautline shear lashings, build a log hitch, square , timber hiteh, bridge, signal tower, n10nkey plus any four others. bridge, or raft:x- (Dismantle after use and inspection unless built 3. Make a short splice, end splice, for permanent use.) and eye splice.

,1. Build a ropernaking machine. -"Project 6 may be done in a Using heavy twine or other line council camp activities area make a 6-foot rope 14 inch or where poles are available for more in diameter. Whip the ends general use in pioneering proj­ to prevent fraying. ects. Trees should never be cut 5. Make and demonstrate one on private or public property device for moving heavy logs, without permission.

Pioneering Tools and Materials Copyrighl 1967 About Rope Boy Scouts of Amerko New Brunswick, New Jersey About Knots and Lashings 14 No. 3382 Printed in U.S.A. 7 4M 1268 Library of Congre~s CONTENTS About Splices 21 Catalog Card Number: 19-600 Make Your Own Rope 24 2 Wilderness Engineering Pioneering Projects Modern Pioneering gravel were hauled up a cable to the mixer, and concrete was run Introduction Take a look at the Navy's Sea­ down by pulley in a big bucket bees or the Army Engineers if and poured into the forms. ln you want an idea of modern pio­ 1 day, the dam was completed neering. Those men have to go and the equipment was some­ into country where there isn't where else, doing another any facility for the thousands of men who are to follow them, and build what needs to be built ro­ The Importance of ga rdless of obstacles. Ingenuity Talk about resourceful! Tn an Now Scouts don't have the unbelievably short time, an en­ kind of heavy equipment avail­ gineering detachment or Seabee able to military engineers or outfit will move into a jungle or civilian enginet~rs--no bulldozers, a swampland, and come up with nu cement mixPrs or backhoes or barracks, roads, bridges water power shovels. But we kmivv that reservoir I with safe water I, air- many a many an Army hangars, nW88 halls, alld engineer or civil engineer, ancl about any other kind of fadlity many a h trnter or camper has you can think of. We watched a thanked his luckiest stars that Seahee work crew build a reser­ he earned the Pioneering merit voir that was intended to supply badge as a Scout. Because, more hundreds of people with safe important than the equipment drinking water. They first that a man has available i8 the planned to build a dam near the ingenuity and know-how and dining facility, but wisely tested "make-do" that you will the soil first. It was too poroirn as you take on the requirements and allowed water to run right for this badge. Good luck with If you want to get really mod­ days. It isn't often necessary to through it. Then they moved up your first big job of "wilderness ern about pioneering, you could build as our forefathers did. But rocky torturous ravine with engineering"! You're going to call it "backwoods engineering" we have new needs of our own. skies so steep it seemed impo:'l­ have fun as you plan and com­ or "wilderness engineering" and American men have always sible to get any c-quiprnent up plete your projects. you'd have it about right. True, loved the outdoors. We have lhere. Using ropes, they inched a hig cement mixer up the ravine it is typical of the type of con­ more hunters and campers than How To Start struction done by the pioneers any other nation. Today more and right up a bank that was who made the trails, cabins, forts than ever, our country needs the practically a cliff. The first step is always to talk and bridges that helped bring civ­ ability to be original and re­ "While the cement crew >vas it over with your Scoutmaster ilization to the wilderness of our sourcefu 1 in meeting construc­ doing this, another crew was or Explorer Advisor. He will beautiful America. tion and transportation problems lumber up the ravine for help you map out a plan of prep­ Today, we don't have the same when we're out on the trail with­ forms, and then building them. aration; perhaps there will be kind of need they had in pioneer out much heavy equipment. Cement and water and sand and others in your troop or post who

4 5 Pioneering Tools and Materials

the team bring old broom han-· are also interested in earning Rope, chalk line, and :-;tring or Before attemptiug the choRen this merit badge, and a working dleR to the unit meeting, Jn fact, binder twine project, all Scouts should he team can be created. you can practice your knotR, File trained in the use of the::;e tools Wlth the guidance of your i.mit ::;plices, and ::; almost any­ Carborundum sharpening so that they may complete the leader or some qna!ifted person where in a spare moment. stone job with out injury or wasted assigned him, you can begin When your unit leader feels Hand ax efTort. Remembl'r, woods tools to learn arnl practice the proper that your group is ready, he may are as necessary and as valuable set up a special weekend camp­ 1-inch chisel \Vay to make the lashings, today as they were many years and knots required to out where he or the qualified :Xi ax ( 1 % to 21h ) ago. They should be taken care pernon assigned by him will di­ (long-handled) meet the test of stress and strain of, always cleaned after use, and of ng construction. rect and advise you in building Knife (Scout poeketknife iR the handles oiled from time to the real thing. Everything may more use to the pioneer time to keep them from getting not go exactly right as you work than the sheath knife.) brittle. (Any sweet oil, such as Practice Anywhere on your project, bl.it you will Shovel (Jong-handled, round linseed, will do.) t:sing this merit badge learn by doing and, therefore, be blade) When tools are stored for the pamphlet as a guide, you can prepared when the time comes Spade and pick winter, the headR of all shovels, practice at home 1rning dowels or to do a similar construction for Maul (a heavy wooden spades, pic:k::;, and axes should be olrl broom handles. You may also your merit badge counselor. The hammer) or 10-lb. greased to keep them from n

I. Hand-coiL a length of rope. Describe (a) kinds of rope, (b) care of rope, (c) weakening effect of knots.

In pioneering you will find rope essential. Choosing good rope and making knots or lash­ ings properly are vital since a wrong knot, an insecure lashing, LAID ROPE: Natural and synthetic fibers are often twisted into yarns, the or a weak rope may lead to dis­ yarns into strands, and then the strands aster. Be sure to use sound ma­ twisted into ropes in such a way that the terial and take no chances. twists are equalized so the rope is stable but flexible. This is called "laying." This construction, shown at right, permits using the shorter lengths of natural fibers to make· uniformly strong rope, but it's fine for synthetics, too. Such rope comes from twine size up to ship's hawser size. Sizes are given in diameters or circumferences according to custom in ·certain usages.

SASH CORD or clothesline is woven of cot­ ton and glazed with starch or other filler. It is unreliable and clumsy for pioneering. BINDER TWINE is unsuit­ able and should be avoided.

WOVEN ROPE:synthet- ic fibers are often woven or braided into line or rope in smaller diameters. Instead of whipping, unraveling is prevented by fusing with a flame or a hot iron. 9 Sisal from Yucatan is also are great variations in the part of the rope, the weaker the used in making rope. It is about strength of various types of the knot. The following table gives two-thirds as strong as manila. same size, so be sure you know the results of a series of tests When new and clean, it is of a how much load your rope will made by the Massachusetts In­ yellowish-white color, sometimes bear. The table below gives you stitute of Technology. It shows with a slight greenish tinge. The the breaking point in pounds of the reduced strength of manila fibers are stiff and harsh and your rope if it is fairly new and in rope with some of the common have a tendency to splinter. good condition, without kinks, knots and hitches: Synthetic fibers like nylon and breaks, or knots. Dacron make excellent rope for Percent The safe working load of a Efficiency many purposes, since they are new rope is only one-quarter of very strong and moistureproof. the breaking strength, and with Full strength of dry rope .. 100 They are not too good for pio­ average rope you had better neering work, being too slick to Eye splice over iron figure only one-sixth with a thimble ...... 90 hold in lashings. steady strain. Jerking the rope or dropping the load will double Short splice on rope ...... 80 The Lay of Rope the strain. Any knots or splices , round turn, will also reduce its strength. Take every precaution to see The lay of a rope is the direc­ half hitch ...... 65 that the materials used are tion in which the strands are Bowline, slip knot, clove sound and that risk is minimized twisted. It is important to de­ Weakening Effects of Knots hitch ...... 60 as much as possible. termine what the lay is before Knots, turns, and hitches Square knot, weaver's Rope normally used in pioneer­ rope is used to prevent kinking weaken a rope by forming a knot, ...... 50 ing is made of sisal, manila, or or breaking when knots, splices, bend which distributes the load or lashings are made. To deter­ synthetic fibers. Cotton, coir on the fibers unequally. The Flemish eye, overhand mine the lay of a rope, pick up (made from the husk of coco­ shorter the bend in the standing knot ...... 45 nuts), or other vegetable yarns one end. You will usually find are also used. Hemp is a strong that the strands are twisted and durable fiber but, because from the bottom left to the top the supply of true hemp is in­ right. The twisting of the sufficient to fill the demand, a strands together is called the substitute has been found in lay, and in this case the rope is abaca, a kind of banana plant known as right-handed. A left­ grown in the Philippines. From handed rope has the strands Approximate Breaking Strengths it comes all the "hemp" that is twisted upward to the left. used commercially. Diameter (inches) Sisal Manila Polypropylene Dacron Nylon A good grade of new, clean Rope Sizes manila rope is hard but pliant, Strength of Rope 1/4 480 600 1,050 1,600 1,800 yellowish in color, with a silvery :Ya 1,080 1,350 lZ,200 3,300 4,000 or pearly luster. When drawn Before you risk your neck, or 1fi 2, 120 2,650 3,800 5,500 7, 100 through the hand it has a anyone else's, be sure you know 14 4,320 5,400 8, 100 11,000 14,200 smooth, almost silky feel. how strong your rope is. There 7,200 9,000 14!000 18,500 24,600 10 l II Ropes are measured and de­ places. If the inner strands are should be taken to avoid kink­ coiled down. A rope should al­ scribed by their circumference in bright, clear, and unspotted, most ing; kinks are most likely to oc­ ways be coiled in the direction inches. A 3-inch rope, for ex­ of its strength has probably been cur when a rope is wet. To avoid of its lay; thus, rigJ;it-handed ample, is 3 inches around and preserved. kinks in a new rope while un­ rope should be coiled clockwis,e, just under an inch in diameter. coiling it, lay the coil on the and left-handed rope counter­ • Unwind a strand 8 inches long The word "rope" is not usually floor with the inside end down; clockwise. and break it with your hands. If used to describe anything less then reach down through the cen­ All ropes should be kept as dry it breaks with little effort, the than 1 inch in circumference. ter of the coil and pull this end as possible, because, if coiled or rope is unsafe. Smaller sizes are described as up and unwind the coil counter­ put away when damp, they will line or cord. • In general, a rope that has lost clockwise. If it uncoils in the mildew very quickly. Mildew its feel of stretch or has become wrong direction, turn the coil causes damage that will become Care of Rope limp or in which the fibers have over and pull the end out on the apparent only when the rope sud­ other side. denly breaks. Wet ropes should It is important that a thor­ lost their luster and appear dry If a new rope is so kinky that always be hung over a ladder or ough inspection of a rope be and brittle should be looked at it cannot be used, the twist can pole and remain hanging untiT made from time to time. Here is with suspicion. It should be re­ be removed by dragging it back­ quite dry before being coiled. how to do it: placed by a new rope, particu­ larly if it is used on scaffolding. ward and forward along a smooth NOTE: If possible, avoid using • Look for worn spots and broken Since even a moderate load on section of ground. binder twine for pioneering proj­ fibers on the outside. a rope in which there is a kink To preserve a rope that is not ects because it will not make a • Inspect the inner fibers by un­ may overtax the fibers at the in use and to keep it supple and safe lashing for heavy weights. twisting the rope in several point of the bend, great care clear of kinks, it should be kept -4\.lways use quarter-inch rope.

12 13 About Knots and Lashings

2. Tie 10 knots and hitches SQUARE KNOT: Twist left-hand rope Make a bight on right-hand rope. Bring end Pull the ends until knot is taut. over, behind, and under right-hand rope. of left-hand rope over, behind, and under and explain their specific use end of right-hand rope. in pioneering. Include bowline, , two half hitches, tautline hitch, square knot, tim­ ber hitch, plus any four others.

KQots All knots and hitches are formed by just three methods of laying rope: bights, loops, and overhand knots. When you know these, you can tie any knot easily. BIGHT: Formed by turning the rope so that the end is parallel SHEET BEND: Make a bight on end of Bring end of thinner rope over, around, and Hold the bight with one hand and then to the rest of the rope. heavier rope and hold in left hand. Bring end under bight. Then slip it under its own stand­ tighten the sheet bend by pulling on the of thinner rope through bight from below. ing part where this enters bight. (Note that other rope's sta!1ding part. LOOP: Made by crossing the both rope ends are on same side.) rope end over or under the rest. OVERHAND KNOT: Made by passing the end of the rope through a loop.

Tie end of rope around its standing part with overhand knot. Pull overhand (It wil I be knot taut. Push more secure if it against pole an overhand and tighten SLIPKNOT: knot was first slipknot by 14 Loop rope tied in the end pulling the over pole. of the rope.) standing part. TAUT-LINE HITCH: Bring rope around Make another turn around the standing part Work hitch until it is taut around standing peg, then over and under the standing part by bringing the end over, under, and through part. It can be pushed up and down the and twice through the loop. the loop. standing part to adjust rope.

CLOVE HITCH: Bring rope around pole ' Pass rope end around the pole again below and cross it in the front. Push loops together and tighten by pulling the first turn. Bring the end under the rope. both ends to complete the knot.

TWO HALF HITCHES: Pass end of rope around pole, then over and under its !' Make .second half hitch in front of the first standing part and through the loop. Push half hitches together and tighten by by repeating the process. pulling on the standing part.

be used to keep a string or rope from unraveling.

16 TIMBER HITCH: Pass end of rope Make bend near the end and twist rope Push timber hitch firmly against pole and pull around pole, then under and over its standing several times around the part next to it. on the standing p.art. part and through loop.

BOWLINE ON A BIGHT: May be tied in the middle or at end of rope.· It is better than regular bowline in an emergency.

BOWLINE: Place end on standing part, Bring end through the loop, around standing Tighten by holding the bight formed by the carrying the end around, forming the loop. part and down through small loop just formed. end and pulling hard on standing part.

18 19 LARIAT LOOP: An overhand knot with the end put through and pulled tight. This running knot makes a lariat.

About Splices

SHEEPSHANK: Used to shorten a rope without cutting it. It holds only when there is strain on it. 3. Make a short splice, end splice, and eye splice.

NOTE: All rope or line must have whipped ends or back-spliced ends before use.

PIPE HITCH: Used to pull a pipe or stake out of the ground. It is tied securely like two half hitches.

EYE SPLICE: A. Unlay end. B. Tuck strand 2 over strand c, under b, and out between a and b. C. Tuck strand I once over b and under a. D. Truck strands twice, as strand 2. 20 21 3 3 2

2

A

3

SHORT SPLICE:

A Unlay each rope a few turns. Alternate END SPLICE: the strands. This is also referred to as the "back splice." This is a permanent fastening on the end of B. Tie strands down to prevent more a rope to prevent unraveling. Begin by making a crown knot. To make the crown knot, unlaying. unlay the end of the rope far enough so that the knot or splice may be completed, then bring strand I down between strands 2 and 3, forming a loop. Pass strand 2 across the loop C. Tuck strand I over an opposing strand thus formed, so that it will lie between the loop and strand 3. Strand 3 is now passed and under the next strand. through the first loop. Then splice back the loose ends. Strand I is passed over the nearest strand (a) on the main rope and under the second (b). diagonally, almost at D. Tuck of strand 2 goes over strand 5, right angles to the twist of the strand. Strands 2 and 3, in turn, are spliced back, 2 over under the second, and out between the (b) and under (c). and 3 over (c) and under (a). Each strand is tucked under but one second and third. strand of the main rope at a time. To make a smooth, tapering splice, cut out a portion of the fibers after each tuck and when finished pound the splice lightly with a short stick E. Repeat operation with strands I and or hammer and roll it on the floor under the foot. It also helps to singe all loose strands 3 from same rope end. with a small flame (match) so the splice appears tight and neat. This, of course, should F. Remove tie and repeat operation on only be done outdoors. In splicing ropes, a smooth, pointed, hardwood stick or marlin­ other rope end. Make two more tucks for spike is very convenient for raising the strands. each strand, roll tucks, clip ends.

22 23 Wilderness Engineering

5. Make and demonstrate one device for moving heavy logs, rocks, etc., using rope and na­ tural materials; OR, using rope, build a conveyer cable system for hauling materials over a ravine or up a steep hillside.

I I ,j

The Parbuckle Using the Round Turn A parbuckle is used to move One, two, or three round turns logs or other cylindrical objects around a smooth tree or spar on the ground or to haul them may be used to ease a heavy load up or lower them down an in­ or lower a heavy weight to clined plane. The center of the · safety. The turns are eased from rope is looped or hitched around the 'same direction as the strain. a tree stump, post, or other firm It is interesting to see how anchorage. Both ends of the rope heavy loads of logs are eased are then passed under the log, down steep places by lumber­ around behind, and over it, and jacks. A smooth stump or tree is are brought back in the direc­ selected at the top of the incline. tion of the anchorage. If the A couple of turns of a heavy ends of the rope are hauled taut, rope are taken around it, en­ or slackened together, the log abling one man to ease the load may be moved, rolled, or lowered down without difficulty. " ' .. easily. If the pull on the two In raising a weight or taking ends is not equal, the direction a load by short pulls, the round \..J .../• of a log will be changed, but if turn is very useful. One man a short object such as a barrel holds the end and takes in the is being moved, the pull must slack. The other men then do not be kept even or the barrel may have to hang on all the time the

slip out of the parbuckle. 1 rope is under stress. 26 27 lumberjack Pulley or other stationary object a wise around tree and follow same short distance away. Make a 6- prncedure, making one more By u::;ing this simple tech­ inch overhand loop in the origi­ overhand loop and bringing rope a small boy can move a nal line about 3 or 4 feet from around the tree again. Pull end very heavy weight. Take a long the log. Pull the end of the line of line to move object. of rope--about 100 to 150 through the loop and take the feet for a good-sized log. With rope around the tree counter­ NOTE: The three loops act as the end of the rope, tie a timber clockwise. Make an overhand pulleys and arn very effective. hitch a couple of feet from the loop in the section which you end of the log. Then take the have just brought around the Equipm.ent rope and tie a half hitch near tree (rope which you wish to Large log the end of the log. See illListra­ p u 11) and put end of rope 100- to 150-foot rope (size of tion. Now take the rope and pull through it. See illustration. rope is determined by weight it counterclockwise around a tree Bring crnl of rope counterclock- to be moved)

A CONVEYER CABLE: This is used to transport heavy materials across a stream or up and down a steep incline. It can be rigged between trees, or a sup­ port can be built as shown here.

29 The Spanish Windlass Use Vz- to %-inch rope to make the windlass. Tie one end to a tree 25 to 35 feet away from the object you want to move. Tie the other end to the object, leav­ ing some slack. At the rope and about 100 feet from the object, hold a 3- to 4-inch butt pole up­ right. The pole should be 6 to 7 feet long. Take a longer (10- foot) but more slender pole, place it next to the upright about knee-high, and make a simple loop over this pole as shown in illustration. Walk the slender stick clockwise around upright. Step over rope each time around.

Equipment 1 6- to 7-foot pole with 3- to 4-inch butt 1 10-foot pole with 3- to 4- inch butt 1 %-inch rope, 60 feet long

I I ii iii '.Ii' i

30 31 Pioneering Projects

DIAGONAL LASHING: Begin this lash­ Make three turns around both timbers. Place Make three more turns cross­ ing with a timber hitch around the two tim­ turns beside each other, not on top of or wise to previous turns. Pull each bers at the point of crossing, springing, or around each other. turn hard to make it tight. binding them together.

6. Following an approved de­ sign and using square, diagonal, and shear lashings, build a log bridge, signal tower, monkey bridge, or raft.* (Dismantle after use and inspection unless built for permanent use.) *Project 6 may he done in a council camp activities area where poles are available for general use in pioneering proj­ ects. Trees should never he cut Make two frapping turns between timbers ·~.' Finish with a clove hitch around either timber. on private or public property around diagonal lashings. Pull rope as taut without permission. as you can to secure lashing.

32 33 SQUARE LASHING: Start with a clove hitch around upright, just under the spot where crosspiece is to be.

Twist ~nd ~f rope into the stand!ng part. In wrapping, the rope goes on outside of Then wrap rope around crosspiece and previous turn around crosspiece, on the in­ upright, binding them together. side of previous turn around upright:

After three or four tight wrapping turns, make two or three "frapping" turns between timbers. Pull them tightly.

Finish with clove hitch around end of crosspiece.

34 35 SHEAR LASHING: Put the two timbers to­ Bind timbers together by seven or eight turns. Make two complete frapping turns around gether and tie clove hitch near the top of one. Make turns loose, one beside the other. l

Fasten securely with clove Open out the timbers. NOTE: Two shear lashings without hitch around second timber. frappings are used to lash two timbers into one long one,

36 37 DOVETAIL NOTCH: Make cut tha Make an equal cut to the left. Note that cuts Cut straight down to the depth of side cut; slants to your right, not quite halfway through are almost at right angles. The angle can be and make a second vertical cut to one side and in from the end. Avoid knots. sharper on thick pieces. of the first cut.

Dovetailing With the handy bow saw and a pocketknife, you can make ex­ cellent joints for log structures without lashings. This is done as illustrated, by making a triangu­ lar notch in the "receiving" log and a tapered end on the other log or pole. This is called "dove­ tailing" and if done correctly, it provides a tight, rigid joint that is neat and strong.

The side cuts outline the dovetail, and the Pry out wood in the notch, first on one side The cleaned-out notch is ready for a fitting­ center cuts break up the fibers so your knife and then the other. It chips out easily. round stick or dovetail. can pry them out.

With the piece to be fitted held over the Drive dovetail into notch until it jams. If notch, shape the base and sides. Make the you want a very rigid joint, shape the dove­ end a little sm.aller than the notch. tail more until it fits tightly.

38 Fun Building Bridges Lashing Line Length (Approximate lengths only) Double-Lock Bridge In selecting the site for a The single"lock bridge can bridge, you must consider the Square Lashing - (%-inch line) span a stream up to 30 feet wide. nature of the banks, the bed of For a wider span, use a double­ the stream, and the speed of the 4 5-inch timbers 20 feet lock bridge. current. The bed of the stream 3 4-inch timbers 16 feet The double-lock bridge uses should be hard rather than 2 3-inch timbers 12 feet trestles like the single-lock, but muddy so that the legs of the they are not locked together. In­ trestle do not sink in too far. Diagonal Lashing (1;:4-inch line) stead, the trestles are locked into The height of the bank will 4 5-inch timbers 18 feet a horizontal trestle that carries determine the height of the 3 4-inch timbers 15 feet the center section of the road. bridge's roadway above water. 2 3-inch timbers 12 feet Because the trestles in the At the outside of river bends the stream do not lock together in current flows faster and the Shear Lashing (%-inch line) the double-lock bridge, they water is deeper. It is better to should be of the same width. build a bridge where the stream 4 5-inch timbers 16 feet is straight and where there is 3 4-inch timbers 14 feet less depth. 2 3-inch timbers 12 feet When the trestles are ready, float them into the water and raise them into position. They should face each other squarely and stand Single-Lock Bridge securely on the banks. Bring tops together with transoms on the outside. Lock the nar­ The single-lock bridge is the Note that the slope of the row-topped trestle into the wider one. If the simplest of the pioneer bridges legs is "20 over 1." That means bridge will carry heavy traffic, lay a cross­ to build. piece into V's, formed by the uprights, and that for each 20 feet the trestle lash it firmly in place. The two trestles are built so is high from ledger to transom, that the top of one fits into the each leg should slope inward 1 top of the other as shown by foot. If the trestle is 10 feet dotted line in the diagram. high, the slope is 6 inches.

SINGLE-LOCK Run two timbers (road bearers) from each bank to BRIDGE: Notice that the the transoms and lash near transom and ledgers as illus­ uprights. Lash crosspieces to trated go on opposite sides timbers about 2 feet apart, of the uprights. Note also or lay a complete flooring that one diagonal brace has of crosspieces securing them both ends on the same side with floor lashings. of the uprights; the other has one end under one up­ right and one end over the other upright.

,,n " :" ! TRANSOM

Roadway may be old boards or saplings. Lash securely to the crosspieces. If the bridge is to stand a long time, creosote the timbers and tar the lashings before you put the trestles in the water. Double-lock bridge can span a stream up to 45

SLOPE OF LEGS feet wide. 20 OVER 1

LEDGER

42 43 Stringer Bridge mit drainage and reduce the floor poles. On top of the floor rate of decay. poles over the outside stringers, On the sills place the two hori­ place a guard rail at least 6 Stringer bridges are used for zontal logs, or stringers, which inches in diameter, and pin it short spans and are easily and should be notched to the sills or down to the stringer. quickly built. held by hardwood pins. At the If round material is used for First prepare a shallow trench end of the stringers place a flooring, hew a tread along the in which to place the sills. These split log with the flat side center about 2 feet wide. Round sills should be of the most rot­ against the ends of the stringers. material split through the center resistan.t wood you can obtain. This is called the retaining log and laid as shown in the detail Always peel the bark. Place them and keeps the rock fill in place. also makes a satisfactory floor. in solid earth and fill around Across the stringers, which have Do not put a dirt covering over with rock. Using rock will per- been flattened on top, place the the floor. 44 45 Monkey Bridge key bridge can span a much Use three manila ropes, all greater distance than the usual 30 feet longer than stream pioneering bridge - up to 100 is wide. Foot rope is I inch; two hand ropes are lfi inch. The eonslnietion of a monkey feet. Don't try too great a span Place all three ropes on bridge is a pioneering feat that at first: 25 feet should be ground 4 feet apart, with will thrill your gang. The mon- enough to start with. foot rope In the middle. Attach . 9-foot "stringers" ( 11/4-inch rope) lo foot rope and hand ropes with clove hitches. Stringers should be 3 feet apart.

MONKEY BRIDGE: Use two 12-foot logs about 4 inches thick at the butt for shear legs. Place side by side and lash together 5 feet from top with shear lashing. Spread the legs and lash 4-foot crosspiece to the legs 2 feet from butts. Use square lashings. Hammer 3-foot stakes into ground in line with the bridge and point­ ing at 60-degree angles away from it. Tie them together in pairs. They act as holdfasts.

Put rope assembly across stream and secure it temporarily to ho!d­ fosts. Raise shear legs with butt ends in shallow holes to prevent shifting. Hold shear legs upright with two guy lines from top of legs.

46 47 Make the pads of two pieces of burlap. Place in the two shear crotches. Lay all three ropes into the crotches. Lead ends of the foot rope in two turns around the first stakes on each side of river. Then tie them with two half hitches, pulling rope tight.

Tie ends of hand ropes to the first stakes on each side of river with two turns and two half hitches. Go over all the ropes, tightening them as much as possible. Your bridge is done, ready for crossing.

Baden-Powell brought this idea from India. Here he had seen the natives in the Himalaya Mountains make "bridges out of three ropes . . • connected to­ gether so that one rope forms the footpath and the others make the handrail on each side." He drew a picture of such a bridge and described it in detail in his Scouting for Boys. It wouldn't be much fun to cross this kind of swaying bridge over a deep mountain chasm, but it's fun in camp where the worst you could get out of a slip would be a ducking.

Have two Scouts stand in the two shear leg crotches, one on each 48 side of the stream. Attach one hand rope to a shear leg with clove 49 hitch, then pull taut and fasten it to shear leg on the other side. Tie the other hand rope the same way. Fun Building Towers the butts of the base pyramid into the ground for 3 to 4 inches "Have you ever felt the thrill to give it a secure footing. of sending a message from the Third, make certain the rope top of a signal or pyramid tower you've built yourself? No? ladder is in place before erect­ Brother, you have a grand ex­ ing the structure. Fourth, do not forget to include handrails. perience in store! Pioneering is HE-MAN Scouting, one of the grandest activities in our whole outdoor program. Working with axes and timbers and lashing ropes - you can't beat it." (Wil­ Gear Required: liam Hillcourt) Now it goes without saying Spars: 3 16-foot that not a stick of timber is 3 14-foot touched unless you have the 3 12-foot owner's permission to cut it. 3 6-foot light 12 staves graduated (2 Pyramid Tower to 6 feet) Lashings: The drawing shows quite clearly that the structure is com­ 5 20-foot posed of two similar three-sided 15 15-foot pyramids that are lashed to­ 1 26-foot section light gether and held in place by short line for platform and guy ropes. The two pyramids are ladder built separately with the longest Also: Rope ladder. sides on the ground and then joined together as shown. Pull The advantage of this type of them erect, using long guy ropes. structure is that, if you have This calls for good teamwork. enough staves, it can be made There are several points that quite quickly. Two patrols ought must be kept in mind. First, a to be able to erect it in less than figure of eight lashing must be an hour. The project lends itself used where the three spars meet to indoor pioneering displays at on each pyramid. Second, sink a, parents' night.

50 51 Signal Tower For the 12-foot tower you will need the following: 4 12 foot uprights ( 4 inches thick at the butt end) 8 10 foot 6 inch lower dia­ gonals ( 4 inches) 4 6 foot 6 inches middle crosspieces (3 inches) SIGNAL TOWER: Arrange timbers Use square lashings, except where the two Prop them up facing each other, 7 feet apart 4 8 foot upper diagonals (3 according to length for ease of han­ lower diagonals meet: there, use diagonal at lower crosspiece, 4 feet at upper. Lash inches) dling. Peg down a string for a center­ lashings. To make it easy, block up timbers together temporarily with diagonal brace. line. Lay out one side of tower, fol­ so ropes can slip under them. Connect them by crosspieces and diagonals, 4 5 foot upper crosspieces (3 lowing the diagram. Make two sides. folrowing diagram used for original sides. inches) 12 5 foot platform flooring pieces (3 inches) 54 15 foot lengths of 1A,-inch or 5/16-inch rope, whipped on both ends

While the tower is still on its side, lash Make a large loop in a rope and throw it over flooring pieces into two opposite upper cross­ the tips of two of the uprights. Throw a loop pieces to form a platform. Use square lash­ over the other two. Lift tip of tower a few ings or floor lashings. feet. Now raise it by one gang pulling on one Now you're ready to raise it. rope, another gang holding back on the other.

52 Fun ,Building Rafts "Where any kind of still or smooth water is available or slowly moving streams, the building of rafts is great fun. The beauty of raft building is that all sorts of material, old and new, can be used; it affords scope for the exercise of a con­ siderable amount of resource and ingenuity. When experiments are being made, care has to be exer­ cised-unless the water is really shallow - that only experienced Primitive Rafts swimmers try out the makeshift I bet you've thrilled as most rafts that result. The joy of of us have to the stories of launching some kind of a con­ pioneers and explorers traveling trivance that one has helped to the rivers of the world on primi­ build and finding that it actually tive rafts. While you read, did floats and even supports a Scout you not promise yourself that for a time at any rate, has to be someday you would follow their felt to be believed." (Pioneering example and make a raft? by Gilcraft) Well, here's your chance. Take your pick among one of these simple designs and combine water fun with pioneering. To most people a raft consists of a number of large logs lashed together into a floating platform with ropes or pliable vines. But there are other rafts as well, much easier to construct - such as the two shown on these pages. Remember that rafts can be treacherous. They have a way of turning turtle ,and spi!Jing. thei,r passengers. So if you intend to use a raft for crossing a river by a pond, you'd better be certain that you are a good swimmer before you take off in a raft. 54 55 Pull a bight under the stringer and up between the first two spars and slip the bight over the end of the first spar.

FLOOR LASHING: In floor lashing, Make a pigtail of i'he running and stand­ Now pull rope under the stringer and up start with dove hitch around sfringer on ing ends of the rope and pull it snugly over the second spar - on the outside of which the flooring spars are fo be laid. over ihe first spar of the flooring. Ihe stringer - then repeat third step.

Continue this way until all spars have been laid firmly in place. Finish the lash­ ing with a clove hitch around the stringer. If the flooring for a bridge or a platform is to com;ist of a few crosspieces only, you can use square lashings for fastening them to the stringers. But if you intend to lay a fioor, you'll be better off using floor lashings.

56 Fill space between circles with twigs and flexible branches. Then tie brush into a crude wreath with binder twine.

Start a coracle by placing twenty 2-foot stakes in two concentric circles, the inner cir­ cle 5 feet in diameter.

1, Coracle When the ancient Britons wanted to cross a stream, they I used a CORACLE. They made the wreath-shaped frame for it Run rope crisscross into a spiderlike web and place on the spot from brushwood, sticks on it for sitting. Then then covered it with a hide. You tie a waterproof tarp around can make your own coracle from the wreath. twigs and branches, tying them up with heavy twine, and using a waterproof tarpaulin instead of an animal hide. 58 The technique of camp and of Documents, Washington, woodland life including ax­ D.C. 20402 (25 cents) Books About Pioneering manship, construction of shel­ ters, benches, tables, eating Wilderness Cabin, Calvin Rut­ utensils from wood, using sim­ strum, 1961 Recommended by the American Careers in Engineering, Theo­ ple tools. Clear illustrations. How to plan and build the Library Association's Advisory dore Wachs, Jr., 1964 cabin. Committee to Scouting, 1967 General picture of engineer­ New Way of the Wilderness, The, Calvin Rutstrum, 1958 Woodsmanship, Bernard S. ing, requirements, background, Mason, 1954 social need. Camping, traveling, and sur­ Boy Scout Literature viving in wilderness areas. Axmanship, sawing, chopping, Handbook of Knots and Splices Checklists of equipment and camping equipment. Camping and Forestry merit and Other Work With Hempen supplies to take. Valuable for badge pamphlets and Wire Ropes, Charles E. Gib­ frigid wilderness survival. son, 1963 Knots and How To Tie Them Special Books on Clear illustrations, simplified Opportunity in Forest Service Fieldbook explanations of plain and Management Careers Pioneering fancy ropework, including dec­ U. S. Department of Agricul­ Sea Exploring Manual orative mats and plaits, on ture, 1965, No. 535, U. S. De­ Fun With Ropes and Spars, John three- and four-stranded ropes. partmentof Agriculture, Wash­ Thurman ington, D. C. 20250 (free) Other Books High Timber: Story of Ameri­ Pioneering, Gilcraft Science and Engineering Careers can Forestry, Charles I. Coombs, Pioneering Projects, John Thur­ All About Camping, W. K. Mer­ 1960 in Government, Descriptions of rill, 1963 man Conservation, the nature of Beginning Jobs for Young People Covers camping on foot, horse­ trees, a history of and future Civil Service Commission, Rope and Its Uses, A. A. Burger, back, water, and by auto. The in forestry, woods life, and 1965, No. 295, Superintendent Iowa State College chapter on survival in water, forest recreation-a good pic­ desert, sub-zero weather, and ture of forestry in action. Con­ on the coast could save your servation and good forestry life. Addresses of outfitters practice go hand-in-hand with and 4~ pages of other books use of our wild resources. on camping, cookery, hiking, and the outdoors. Job With Forest Service, Guide to Non-Professional Employment Camping and Woodcraft, Horace U. S. Department of Agricul­ Kephart, 1948 ture, 1965. Miscellaneous pub­ Although an old book, these lication, No. 843, Superintend­ two volumes in one are best on ent of Documents, Washing­ knots, hitches, and lashings. ton, D.C. 20403 (10 cents) Also covers tanning leather, bee hunting, edible plants, liv­ Junior Book of Camping and ing off the country, cooking, Woodcraft, The, Bernard S. dressing wild game. Mason, 1943

60 61 1

MERIT BADGE LIBRARY

I Though intended as an aid to Scouts and Explorers in meeting merit badge requirements, these pamphlets are of general interest and are made available by many schools and I public libraries. They are prepared by experts and are revised or corrected frequently. The latest revision date of each, which may not necessarily correspond to the copyright date of the pamphlet, is shown below (corrected to August I, 1968). I

Number Year Number Year Number Year 3304 Agriculture 1960 3346 Farm Mechanics 1958 3334 Photography 1960 3325 American Business 1968 3349 Farm Records 1955 3369 Pigeon Raising 1958 3301 Animal Industry 1944 3287 Fingerprinting 1964 3382 Pioneering 1967 3381 Archery 1964 3317 Firemanship 1968 3386 Plumbing 1965 3321 Architecture 1966 3238 First Aid 1960 3314 Pottery 1954 3320 Art 1962 3318 First Aid to 3331 Poultry Keeping 1963 3303 Astronomy 1966 Animals 1963 3377 Printing 1965 3324 Athletics 1964 3295 Fishing 1954 3251 Public Health 1956 3275 Atomic Energy 1965 3288 Forage Crops 1965 3373 Public Speaking 1944 3305 Automotive Safety 1962 3302 Forestry 1959 3375 Rabbit Raising 1946 3293 Aviation 1968 3360 Fruit and Nut 3333 Radio 1965 3313 Basketry 1968 Growing 1953 3292 Railroading 1961 3340 Beef Production 1958 3240 Gardening 1944 3393 Reading 1965 3284 Geology 1953 PHOTO CREDITS 3362 Beekeeping 1957 3342 Reptile Study 1944 3380 Hiking 1962 3311 Rifle and Shotgun 3282 Bird Study 1967 3361 Hog Production 1956 Shooting 1967 3378 Bookbinding 1954 3329 Home Repairs 1961 3392 Rowing 1964 C. Eugene Grimes 3379 Botany 1964 Page 3 3298 Horsemanship 1958 3347 Safety 1958 Bug ling (see Music) 3358 Indian Lore 1959 3351 Salesmanship 1942 3256 Camping 1966 Fun With Ropes and Spars, 3348 Insect Life 1963 3384 Scholarship 1959 3308 Canoeing 1968 3350 Journalism 1962 3322 Sculpture 1945 John Thurman-Page 50 3326 Chemistry 1962 3353 Landscaping 1944 3370 Sheep Farming 1952 3290 Citizenship 1966 3310 Leatherwork 1951 3237 Signaling 1940 Gleason Photography, Cover 3374 Coin Collecting 1966 3278 Lifesaving 1965 3364 Skiing 1965 3309 Communications 1967 3337 Machinery 1962 3319 Small-Boat Sailing 1965 3335 Computers 1968 3339 Masonry 1952 3283 Small Grains 1957 Conservation of Metallurgy 1966 3291 Soil and Water 3323 3272 Conservation 1952 Natural Resources 1967 3312 Metalwork 1952 3354 Space Exploration 1966 3257 Cooking 1967 3280 Model Design and 3359 Stamp Collecting 1966 3341 Corn Farming 1948 Building 1964 3327 Surveying 1960 3365 Cotton Farming 1953 3294 Motorboating 19&2 3299 Swimming 1960 3277 Cycling 1949 3336 Music and Bugling 1968 3344 Textiles 1953 3330 Dairying 1963 3285 Nature 1952 3328 Theater 1968 3289 Dog Care 1952 3306 Oceanography 1965 3274 Weather 1963 3300 Wildlife 3273 Drafting 1965 3372 Painting 1954 Management 1952 3206 Electricity 1964 3296 Personal Finances 1963 3315 Wood Carving 1966 3279 Electronics 1965 3286 Personal Fitness 1968 3316 Woodwork 1952 3345 Farm Arrangement 1961 3281 Pets 1957 3356 Zoology 1941

Merit badge pamphlets are also available in library bound editions. • For complete information write the Supply Division.

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J. 08903 1930 North Mannheim Road 485 Brannan Street MELROSE PARK, ILL. 60160 SAN FRANCISCO, CALIF. 94107 New York Retail Store-42 East 33d Street 62 Chicago Retail Store-9 West Washington Street 1 Your 1nerit badge counselor is as impor­ tant to you as a good coach is to an athlete. He is a real "pro" in his field; be sure to soak up all the knowledge and experience he can offer. This may be your only chance to learn from an expert in this subject. Make it count.