Monday, June 21, 2010

Tools Of The Trade: Something To Grapple With

The ominous looking tool pictured above is a modern version of a grapnel or grappling hook. It has a certain menace about it, even though it's original purpose aboard ship was relatively mundane. As a grapnel, the thing is a form of kedge or anchor for small boats such as a launch. With it's backward pointed spikes, it is easy to imagine how the grapnel would catch on the sea floor or some other likely object (a rock, seaweed, etc.) and hold a vessel in place. A ring at the end of the grapnel would hold a rope, cable or chain and your launch would be quite secure until it was time to move on.

As early as the time of Hannibal and the Carthaginian wars with Rome, navies and pirates began using the grapnel for another purpose. As a grappling (or grapling) hook, the devise was used to "grapple" an enemy ship, bringing them close enough for boarding. In this capacity, the hooks were given spikes and the rope was shortened and attached to the yard-arms of the attacking ship. Sometimes, small grapnels could be shot from guns.

The grapnel was also used to hook a disabled ship for the purpose of towing her. This was particularly useful in the case of a ship on fire, where a very long cable could be utilized to keep the rescuing ship out of harm's way.

Finally, in a pinch a grappling hook could be used as a weapon. As witnessed on the Somali Pirate vs Medellin Cartel version of Spike TV's Deadliest Warrior, the grappling hook, though indelicate at best and certainly unwieldy, can cut up a pig carcass something awful. I'll stick to my cutlass, though, and save the grappling hook for boardings.

5 comments:

Timmy! said...

Ahoy, Pauline! While the grappling hook can certainly be used as a weapon, you'd have to be pretty desperate to use one as such. I agree with your weapon of choice, the cutlass. Much like the Medellin Cartel's machete in the "Deadliest Warrior" show, it is a much more efficient and effective weapon, Pirate Queen.

Pauline said...

Ahoy, Timmy! The real problem with the grapnel-as-weapon idea is that the hooks get stuck in whatever you attack with it. Then there you are, trying to pull your weapon free with both hands. In close action, you'd be quite literally in a world of hurt. Cutlass, please.

Timmy! said...

Exactly! The grappling hook vs. cutlass is like a single shot flintlock vs. a semi-automatic pistol. Sure, you could use the flintlock as a club after you fired your one shot... Except you'd be dead from multiple gunshot wounds.

Pauline said...

Seriously. It's like that line of dialogue from "The Crow" isn't it?

Timmy! said...

Well, exactly...