Tom fool's knot Tom fool's knot The Tom fool's knot is sometimes considered a handcuff knot but is somewhat inferior for this purpose to the knot which usually bears that name. It is a good knot with which to commence a slightly fancy sheepshank. It is also used as a trick knot due to the speed with which it can be made. Tom fool's knot is believed to be the knot "epankylotos brokhos" described by the 1st Century Greek physician Heraklas. It is formed by making two loops, not exactly overlaying each other. The inner half of each hitch or loop is pulled
USS Tom Bowline (1814) — only to be driven off by a gale. "Hornet" arrived five days later, but her landfall coincided with the appearance in the area of British brig-sloop . The two ships closed for action, and "Hornet" damaged "Penguin" seriously enough to warrant destruction of the Briton. The sighting of strange sail on the horizon hastened "Hornet's" burning of the prize, but apprehension turned to relief as the sails proved to be "Peacock" and "Tom Bowline" returning to Tristan da Cunha for the planned rendezvous. "Tom Bowline" embarked the "Penguin's" captive crew and took the prisoners to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.