Abstract: A gripping apparatus and method of engaging an elongate cable using the gripping apparatus. The gripping apparatus has relatively movable parts with at least three different states: (a) a first state in which the length of the cable can be placed in a starting relationship with the apparatus; b) a second state wherein the cable length resides in a volume between the relatively movable parts; and c) a third state wherein the volume of the second state is reduced and the cable length is captive between the relatively movable parts. The gripping apparatus is configured to be releasably maintained in the second state as an incident of the relatively movable parts being changed from the first state into the second state.