Capstan step with tongue

[dafi]

On many english ships one can see a capstan step with a tongue. What was this shape for. Here is the one from Princess Royale.

 

 

The tongue extended to the aft to butt against the hedge ledge. On plans of other ships it extends both aft or front.

 

So now my question: What was this feature for?

 

XXXDAn

[dafi]

Here still the version for the fore capstan of my Vic as seen on the plans of 1788.

 

 

XXXDAn

[druxey]

One example is the following:

 

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-80763

 

The 'tongue' extends forward over the deck beam ahead. I suspect it is bolted down on this to distribute the load on the capstan when in use.

[mtaylor]

Might that step also have had the "ratchet arm" that supposedly prevented the capstan from kicking back?  

[druxey]

It might very well serve that purpose as well, but I've yet to see a plan or model to confirm that, Mark.

[dafi]

Thank you druxey,

 

to make things more challenging, I found this tongue on either fore or aft capstan, but never on both so far, and also either pointing forewards and backwards without a reason to conclude why ...

 

A first thought was to avoid water to drag into the mechanics as for the form of the groove on the tongue - like the cutting board for roasted meat - but as in Princess Royale it would lead the water against the coaming of the hatch so I think it can be ruled out.

 

To give more support on the adjectant beams it is too weak for my personal judgement. I would have expected a less delicate form.

 

Perhaps something to facilitate the cable to slide atop the step towards the whelps?

 

XXXDAn

[G. Delacroix]

Hello,

 

Wouldn't it be to collect rainwater or wash water for a mechanism that is difficult to waterproof?
Considering its reduced thickness and the groove which borders this part, it is difficult to imagine that it can be a "mechanical" part of strength.

 

GD

[druxey]

I find the rainwater theory doesn't - wait for it! - hold water. This arrangement is on the lower deck, not on a weather deck. Mark's hypothesis is more likely.

[mtaylor]

Been thinking a bit...dangerous thing, I know.   The grove around it... if the hawse were taken around the capstain, then that might be useful for collecting and draining from the wet cable.  But you would want the drainage to run off the side towards the scuppers.   

 

We're missing something here and I can't put my finger on it.   They did everything for a reason....  we just know what that reason is at this point.  Do we have any photos of the Vic's capstans?   

 

 

[mtaylor]

Add to the above... The Continental capstan used the paws like I described.  The Engish supposedly used "self locking" pawls that hung down from capstan.  

 

Here's  quick scan....  

[dafi]

Thank you all for your input.

 

Having had a closer look at other pictures of the Princess Royal, I am not so sure as if the groove served a purpose. Many other edges on different parts show that kind of groove  as a mere decorative feature.

 

If one looks at the position of the tongue at Princess Royale 1773, the tongue goes flat agains a coaming so that drainage appears less probable, or it would better have been pointing the other way.

 

 

The same setup is on the Ocean 1761. Interesting to see, that this plan matches the model of Princess a 100%.

 

 

The Vics drawings of 1788 show the tongue on the main/fore capstan step. The picture of today´s capstans I do not use for reference, as they are 1920 repairs or reconstructions.

 

 

 

 

Also I agree that for structural / strength reasons or to hold pawls the design of the step should be more massive than it is.

 

XXXDAn

 

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by dafi

[Morgan]

Daniel,

 

I think it is a cover for the Capstan Channel / Waterway.

 

Looking at the inboard profiles for Steel and Rees the lower main capstan has the pawl rim or channel around it, but not to the fore lower or upper capstans (photos below).  I recall that Capstan uses changed in the second half of the 18th Century, so the fact that you get the cover on either the fore or main capstan probably depends on practices in place at that time.

 

 

 

Goodwin in his ‘The Construction and Fitting of the Sailing Man of War 1650 - 1850’ provides a comparative cross section at page 148 where you can see the cover to the left hand side, and is labelled waterway to the right hand side.

 

Gary

 

 

 

 

Edited November 22, 2021 by Morgan

[druxey]

Note about pawls: The rotating flat variety was in use by the Royal Navy until very late in the 18th century, and only then superseded by the drop pawl mechanism.