Well, here goes...after many years commercial fishing, learning the correct knots to use, etc, the rope/line we used in the 40`s, 50`s, etc, was sisel, hemp. all nets were cotton, which was tared to keep it from rotting! since the early years, like way way back in the 2, 3, and 4 masted schooners, most rope was made with hemp. the problem with hemp, and sisel (sisel was used during ww 2 because hemp was`nt available) when both were tied into knots, and in water, they swelled up to the point that they could`nt be loosened without a marlin spike! (look that up!) hence the knots like the bowline, clove hitch, square knots were desiged to be untied quicky and easily! splices, especialy long splices were difficult and tedious, and tough on fingers!...clyde