Fore Jeer Capstan Question

[uss frolick]

On many draughts of French warships, from 74s down to flush deck ship-sloops, there is a separate single capstan on the forecastle, called a "fore jeer capstan". They are not just French items, as the builder's draught of the US Frigate Essex of 1799 shows one too. I had read that they were considered old fashioned by 1800. Question. What was it's function? It takes up valuable space and adds considerable weight over the forefoot, French hulls being notoriously tender forward, so it must have been important. What could it do that the main capstan couldn't? 

[mtaylor]

This is pure speculation, Frolick.  Yard and foresail handling maybe?  Loading and unloading ship's boats and possibly rations, cargo, etc.?  

[Ian_Grant]

Might it not be that the original purpose was to handle the jeers of the foreyard when needed? Guessing etymologically.

[Admiral Beez]

On 5/24/2021 at 9:28 PM, uss frolick said:

On many draughts of French warships, from 74s down to flush deck ship-sloops, there is a separate single capstan on the forecastle, called a "fore jeer capstan". They are not just French items, as the builder's draught of the US Frigate Essex of 1799 shows one too. I had read that they were considered old fashioned by 1800. Question. What was it's function? It takes up valuable space and adds considerable weight over the forefoot, French hulls being notoriously tender forward, so it must have been important. What could it do that the main capstan couldn't? 

I wish I’d known it was mostly a French feature when I began my build of a British 74.  Originally captured from the French, so perhaps they’d leave it in place.

 

 

[bruce d]

On 5/25/2021 at 2:28 AM, uss frolick said:

What could it do that the main capstan couldn't? 

Just saw this so I am late to the game. I have seen documents in The National Archives UK where the handling of boats by capstan is advocated. Sounds simple to us now but apparently in the mid-late 18th century it was not standardised. One captain even requested a capstan for handling his longboat. This would keep the main capstan free for victualling, anchors, booms et al.

A possibility?