Method and apparatus for terminating rope and its application to seismic streamer strength members

A termination for an end of a braid formed as a flat closed loop of braided strands expandable to an annular cylinder having a selected wall thickness includes a sleeve having a selected internal diameter. Spacers are configured to be applied on the braid such that when in contact with each other form an annular cylinder having an external diameter selected to fit inside the sleeve. The spacers have a bevel at one longitudinal end. A substantially cylindrical insert has a bevel at one longitudinal end at substantially a same bevel angle as on the spacers. A diameter of the insert combined with twice the wall thickness of the braid is larger than an internal diameter the spacers. When axial tension is applied to the braid, the bevel on the insert with braid thereon laterally urges the spacers outward. The sleeve limits lateral outward movement of the spacers.