Historic District in St. Augustine in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Reef Knot

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 1, 2024

1. Reef Knot Marker

Inscription.
The Reef knot is an ancient and simple knot used for securing a rope around an object. This knot can be seen on ancient Egyptian statues as a knot that secures a belt around a person's waist. At sea it is used for many tasks, including securing the bottom of a sail to the boom or for taking in (reefing) a sail to make its area smaller. Reefing in a sail was typically done during strong winds or storms. If a ship's sails were not reefed in time, storm winds could rip the canvas apart, leaving the ship at the mercy of the elements.

Also called the square knot, this knot makes an excellent temporary fastener and is easy to untie.

Did You Know:
Tie a Reef knot backwards, and you will have tied a Thief knot.

The Reef knot is one of the four basic maritime knots.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 29° 54.36′ N, 81° 18.851′ W. Marker is in St. Augustine, Florida, in St. Johns County. It is in the Historic District. It can be reached from the intersection of Magnolia Avenue and Williams Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 11 Magnolia Ave, Saint Augustine FL 32084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in First Coast

and in Greater Jacksonville.

It is also in the American South.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least

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8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Block And Tackle (here, next to this marker); "San Agustin" (a few steps from this marker); The San Agustín: St. Augustine’s Workboat (a few steps from this marker); The Blacksmith Demonstration (within shouting distance of this marker); Site of the First Fort San Juan de Pinos (within shouting distance of this marker); First Muster of Militiamen in the Continental United States (within shouting distance of this marker); 17th & 18th Century Cannons / 17o y Cañones del 18o siglo (within shouting distance of this marker); 17th & 18th Century Cannons (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Augustine.

Photographed by Craig Doda, September 1, 2024

2. Reef Knot Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 6, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 6, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.