Thimble – Definition and Pronunciation
What is Thimble?
Thimble is a tear-shaped metal ring with a groove around its edge, around which lines or wire can be spliced or threaded. Thimbles prevent or reduce chafe of line or wire.
Examples of Thimble
The line should have a thimble – a teardrop-shaped insert – to resist chafe. Special nylon thimbles are good to prevent the thimble from working loose as the eye splice stretches, and seizings around stainless steel thimbles will keep them secure.
From “Equipment of a Sailboat: What You Need to Have on Board While Sailing”.
From “Masts and Rigging Systems for Sailing Ships”.
Wire rope lashings, at the positions of connection with turnbuckles, shackles and other elements, shall have eye splices with fixed thimbles preferably. Fixing of thimbles may be carried into effect by wire rope clamps. The quantity of claps is determined according to the diameter of the rope, but in any case it should not be less than three.
From “Preparation of the Cargo Spaces, Stowage and Securing of Cargoes on the Vessel”.
Pronunciation of Thimble
