The Grappling Hook is a tool and an improvised weapon. It was the Close-Range weapon of the Somali Pirate.
Description
A Somali Pirate with a Grappling hook.
The grappling hook is shaped like an anchor with three to five prongs, which is attached to a rope.
Stats
- 25 foot rope
- 2 foot hook
- 5 lbs
- Barbed steel
Use
Historically, grappling hooks have been used by naval forces to catch on to an enemy ship so that it could be boarded. Grappling hooks have existed since the bronze age. It could also serve as an improvised weapon. Pirates (both classical and modern) frequently used hooks.
Somali Pirates would have knots on their hooks to climb up it like a rope. This was necessary; since most boats that the Somalis raided were massively taller than their speedboats.