Can you identify this feature? 19th century 1st Rates

[amateur]

When did the english navy start using mooring buoys instead of anchoring?

 

Jan

 

[edit: after posting, I read the whole thread, and I saw I had the same thought over a year ago. Not a very original thinker, but well, at least I'm consistent  )

Edited February 4, 2021 by amateur

[Martocticvs]

All the photos I've seen show her at anchor, not moored to a buoy. But it does look very much like an early mooring fairlead. Might have doubled up for taking in the end of the anchor chain whilst at sea, if they wanted to disconnect it from the bower anchors.

 

Thanks for your input everyone! I think my model of this beast is still some way off yet, but looking forward to it

[Dan Jones]

I don't know much about these ships, but based on my own experience working with anchors, I would guess that it was an opening for a line used to restrain the anchor from swaying when raised or lowered in heavy swells. 

[druxey]

Either the anchor or, more likely from its position, the anchor chain.

Edited September 28, 2021 by druxey

[Sailor_ed]

Judging by the angles of the surfaces surrounding the central "hole" I believe this is an early navigation light. In the U.S. Sailing vessels were first required to carry navigational lights in 1849.