Many have come across a term like hemp, but not everyone knows the meaning of the word. This is a bast fiber, quite coarse, which is obtained from hemp stems. The process is very laborious and lengthy. About the meaning of the word "hemp" and the method of its manufacture, read in this article.
Dictionary word
To answer the question of what “hemp” is, you need to turn to the explanatory dictionary. It says that it is bast fiber, which is made from hemp stems. It is obtained by prolonged (for three years) soaking the mass of hemp in running water.
It would seem, why such a laborious and long production? Thanks to him, hemp fibers have a very high strength and resistance to salty sea water. Therefore, hemp began to be used in marine affairs, namely, to make ropes and ropes from it. They practically do not wear out and serve for a very long time.
Hemispinning was quite widespread in Russia since the middle of the XVIII century. Initially, the production was handicraft, but with an understanding of the value and importance of hemp, its factory production was established on a large scale. At the beginning of the 20th century, a college was founded in the city of Klintsy, in which various specialists were trained to work in the hemp spinning industry.
Application
Studying what “hemp” is, one should talk about the areas of its application. From its fibers are made not only ropes and ropes, but also fabric, fillers for mattresses and clothes. In Russia, up to the 18th century, hemp, due to its characteristics, was used as light armor, sewn on top of clothes. Paradoxical as it may sound, such a defense could protect against saber attacks, as well as from a bullet at its end.
The last case of using hemp as a kind of armor has been known since the Crimean War, which took place from 1853 to 1856. During the defense of Sevastopol, ropes made of it were closed embrasures of Russian fortifications. Such "armor" was able to stop the Turkish bullets, saving the lives of the defenders. During the counterattack, the ropes moved apart and guns were pulled out of the embrasures. Having made a volley, they were pushed back, and the ropes were brought back to their original position, closing the loopholes.
Hemp variety
Continuing to study what “hemp” is, you need to consider the plant itself from which it is made. Cannabis sativa cannabis variety is used in the manufacture of fibers. It is ideal for this, as it does not require special pesticides and additives during its growth.
This variety is grown commercially in Russia, Canada, Europe and other places. It differs from others in that it contains a large number of substances responsible for the strength of the fibers.
In Russia, the largest plants producing hemp hemp from fiber stems are located in the village of Altai, Altai Territory and the following cities:
- Dmitriev-Lgov in the Kursk region;
- Big Vyas and Nikolsk in the Penza region;
- Insar in Mordovia;
- Khomutovka and Ponyri in the Krasnodar Territory.
These plants produce sufficient volumes for use in marine affairs and household needs.
Essential material for sailors
Continuing to study what “hemp” is, one should talk about its use in marine affairs. In addition to mooring ropes and ropes, it is used for the manufacture of lyktros. This is a special cable used to sheathe sailing anchors (edges) and “plasters”. This is done in order to increase the life of the sail itself, which is constantly in contact with sea salt water, which gradually destroys it.
Ship sails are attached to the mast using ropes made again from hemp. Then the mast is covered with a protective strip, which is composed of a triple layer of sail. After that, the attached "patch" is attached with a lyktros, as if sewing it up. This process is called glee.
From the foregoing, it is clear what hemp means in the marine business. This is an indispensable material, which has no analogues, which makes it unique. So, it would seem that a simple plant turns out to be quite difficult if it is correctly used.
It was able to save the lives of soldiers in the 18th-19th centuries, and also served and serves as reliable material for anchoring sails and mooring ships. But the most interesting thing is that even with the advent and development of technology, it was not possible to get a replacement for this unique material created several centuries ago.