Traditionally, a three strand laid rope is called a "plain-" or "hawser-laid", a four strand rope is called "shroud-laid", and a larger rope formed by counter-twisting three or more multi-strand ropes together is called "cable-laid". Cable-laid rope is sometimes clamped to maintain a tight counter-twist rendering the resulting cable virtually waterproof. Without this feature, deep water sailing (before the advent of steel chains and other lines) was largely impossible, as any appreciable length of rope for anchoring or ship to ship transfers, would become too waterlogged – and therefore too heavy – to lift, even with the aid of a capstan or windlass.