The Original Pawley’s Island Rope Hammock®

The Original Pawley’s Island Rope Hammock® was created in 1889 at Pawley’s Island, one of the oldest summer resorts on the South Carolina coast. Captain Joshua John Ward, a river boat pilot who barged rice and supplies between nearby Georgetown and the great rice plantations of the South Carolina low country, found the grass-filled mattresses on his boat too hot in the summer.

He decided to make a cool and comfortable cotton rope hammock for use on his boat. After several uncomfortable designs, Captain Josh made a hammock using wooden spreaders without knots. This original design has proven to be so comfortable, that it is still used in these popular hammocks, over a century later.

Using the highest quality materials, these hammocks are available in the traditional all-cotton rope or the soft spun polyester rope. The custom-designed stretcher bars are cut from seasoned Carolina red oak, then steamed, bent, drilled, sanded, and varnished – all to impart a comfortable sway to the hammock and to spread the rope evenly for optimum stability.

As an onlooker in the weaving room, where the hammock is knitted, you will find yourself keeping time to the rhythmic motion of the skilled native craftsmen. As they work a needle of rope in and out of the hammock body, they create symmetric patterns and lend a touch of art to the unique and interesting craft. You can often hear the enchanting sounds of "Gullah" in conversation and song, which represents a distinct southern low country style of dialect and unique part of our American heritage. Once the hammock body is woven, it is connected to strong plaited ends and then strung through the oak stretcher bars. Nautical bowline knots attach the ends to the body of the hammock. Upon final inspection, each hammock is marked with the traditional metal tag to ensure its authenticity as an Original Pawley’s Island Rope Hammock®.

Today, The Original Pawley’s Island Rope Hammock® is sold around the world. Thousands of our friends now experience the comfort and tradition of an Original Pawley’s Island Rope Hammock®.

The Bougainville Hammock  

The luxurious Bougainville Hammock invites you to stretch out and relax in cool, delightful comfort, in the garden, at the cottage, or on the back porch!

This entirely hand woven, netted hammock is made by the finest craftsmen with Pawley’s Island’s own braided cord. The hammock consists of the luxurious bed itself, woven from a single length of rope, and the two triangular “clews” that support the bed at each end. The clews are attached to the bed through beautifully hand-finished hardwood spreaders that maintain the hammock's even width.

The Deluxe Bougainville hammock is made from braided spun-polyester cord that has the softness and luxurious feel that cotton rope, first used in the original Carolina hammocks over a century ago, evokes and aspires to, yet seldom attains. The cord has the added advantage that it is much stronger, longer-lasting and more durable than cotton. This hammock is available in natural beige and forest green. A variety of other hammock accessories are also available, including stands, tree straps, and pillows.

Provided by the manufacturer, Pawley’s Island (www.Pawleys.com).

Copyright 2006, www.OutdoorDecor.com
Jason Way, OutdoorDecor.com Staff Writer