1942 enormous rope drop hammer - photo

[hemmjo]

Just a guess, I am thinking the extra rope is to allow the "working" end of the rope can be cut off when it is worn and new rope pulled off the storage pipes. This would help to eliminate waste, as only the worn end needs to be discarded.

Just like an anchor rope, it typically wears at the bottom end where it chaffs against whatever is on the bottom.