Fig. 8 shows a sheet anchor as stowed in a man-of-war. The anchors rest upon stout iron rods, a, a, called tumblers; they are connected to the ship's side at the lower ends, so that they will fall outwards. b, b, are short bolts to keep the anchor in its proper position, with the tumblers slightly inclining outboard. Both a, a, and b, b, are fitted to the shank of the anchor, and so arranged that the rope lashings passing round the shank can be secured to them. A strong bolt, fitted with three lugs, c, d, and e, is secured to the ship's side by eye-bolts, which allow it to revolve. Chains, f and g, fastened to the ship's side at on end, are passed round the shank of the anchor, and held by the lugs c and e at the other. A slip-stopper, h, clasp the lug d, and keeps the bolt in the position shown ; the inner fluke of the anchor rests on the bill-board k, the point is held downby a securing chain fitted with a slip at l, and the upper end of the stock is secured in a similar way.
When it is desired to "let go," the rope lashings on a, a, and b, b, are cut. The slips at the point and stock are knocked away, and then the stopper h, is the only thing which holds the anchor. A shifting lever, shown by dotted lines, is fitted to a socket in h; when a strain is brought upon this, the lug d is released from the grip of the stopper h, and the anchor let go, the tumblers a, a, throwing it clear of the ship.
It should be observed that whenever a slip-stopper is fitted, care must be taken, by placing a pin at the back of it, or otherwise, to prevent the anchor being let go by accident.
Stern and stream anchors are stowed at the stern of the ship in the way described for sheet anchors.
The kedge anchors are generally stowed in the main-chains.
Sheet, stream, and stern anchors being very rarely used, have to be restowed by the aid of the yard-arm, without any special appliances being fitted.
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Anchor - Table of Contents
