carl wrote:
are you sure the belaying pin is used for tightening
the rope?
I regularly sail a brigantine and a tradional sloop which both use
hooks on the deck.
the normal way I thought the ropes were tightened was by one person
pulling (out and downwards) above the hood and another person as the
'tail' who holds the rope coming up from the hook tight.
the belaying pin is only used to make fast the rope when it is tight
enough.
I belive the belaying pin would not have enough strength to be used
for this unless it was one of those new metal ones.

such hooks were not known on traditional sailing ships, unless you are
referring to a block attached to a deck cleat. the bealy gives you
friction to allow you to tie off the rope

Vince