I have wrestled with this sort of hammock multiple times and had my share of wobbly tip-outs. The secure, non-tippy deep sag and tight weave had all but disappeared in favor of smaller fabric hammocks hung with a more shallow sag in order to fit more sailors aboard ship.Ĭaptain Ward pitched the hammock tight from end to end to attempt a “flat,” bed-like lay, using spreader bars to further flatten the entire surface. By the time Captain Ward began experimenting with hammocks, the “traditional” design brought to Western culture by Columbus had already seen various alterations. Generally speaking, the term “spreader bar hammock” refers to the relatively “new” back yard American-style hammock that uses thick cotton rope, loose weaving, and wooden spreader bars.Īccording to some sources, river boat captain Joshua Ward is credited with inventing this woven rope hammock back in 1890s. Perhaps a caveat and a clear definition are appropriate to insert at this point. (If you’re up on your spreader bar hammock history, skip to the good stuff.)

In my case, it is defending the case for the spreader bar hammock. Perhaps I can appreciate his predicament as he faced standing up for something he had dismissed before. After spending a few weeks reviewing the Lawson Blue Ridge Camping Hammock I felt a little like the food critic Anton Ego from the Disney®/Pixar® animated film Ratatouille when he flip-flopped on his critique of Gusteau’s restaurant.

Hook and eye blue ridge