Dave wrote:
On 31 Aug 2006 17:42:43 -0700, "RogueIT" said:

2. what other knots should I know and why are these knots used?

Rolling hitch--also sometimes called a stopper knot. Useful where you need
to be able to adjust the length of a loop under strain, Primary use on
larger ships is to take the strain on a line such as a mooring line while
the line is removed from a winch.

The rolling hitch (with minor variations) is sometimes called the
tautline hitch, the midshipman's knot, the tentstake knot, the magnus
knot, or the jam hitch.

When tied around a pole or log, it is usually called a rolling hitch,
or magnus knot. When tied "upside down" so that the finishing
halfhitch is on the inside, it is called a jam hitch and is used to
cinch up rolls of paper or cloth. The version I use whenever rigging
an anchor bridle (and for many other purposes) has the second turn
crossed over the first, and is referred to as a midshipman's knot.

It is never caller a "stopper knot." That term is used today for
knots like the figure-eight or stevedore's knot that is tied on the
end of running rigging to prevent unreeving.