What's a better translation for escala de gato?

Question

I'm watching an episode of Crónicas where they're talking about the Spanish not really being as neutral as many claim during World War II. Apparently a Spanish cruiser was sent to help rescue survivors from the Bismarck when she sank. They used "redes y escalas de gatos", nets and "abandon ship ladders", according to the translator. I know from the context what it means, and I can picture it in my mind, but for the life of me I can't remember the English phrase. It's something like "rope ladder", but I don't think that's quite it. Any Spanish speaking nautical experts out there?

Answer 1

Jack ladder?

Close. Jacob's ladder. See my Doh! post. Unless that's what you folks over there call it. It sure would be nice if we could all agree on how to speak English, wouldn't it? - KevinB, Oct 27, 2010

That's worth a vote for jogging my sluggish brain. - KevinB, Oct 27, 2010

ja ja lol - thanx - it looks like both work http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/jack+ladder - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 27, 2010

That's it. I'd vote for you again if I could. - KevinB, Oct 27, 2010

ja ja :) - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 27, 2010

I was thinking it might be one in the same and Jack may be short for Jacob but aparently not, Jack is short for John which makes no sense as they both have 4 letters??? weird! - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 27, 2010

Really. Here in the States guys of my age still refer to John Kennedy as Jack. But why would a nickname have as many letters as the real name? It's not like Bob and Robert, or Peg and Margaret. - KevinB, Oct 27, 2010

that's what I'm thinking! - Kiwi-Girl, Oct 27, 2010

Answer 2

Doh! I found it. Jacob's ladder. I looked it up in the Spanish language Wikipedia and the photo had the German name which was close enough to the English name for me to remember.

Answer 3

The description of Jacob's ladder appears in the Book of Genesis (28:11–19) - 0074b507, Oct 28, 2010