Confederacy 1778 Why does it not have a windless?

[bear]

Ahoy Mates

 

Just had to ask this simple question. Is the Capstan taking the place of a windless? Back wirking on the Confederacy after years away from the Modelshipways kit.

 

Thanks Keith from Troutdale,Oregon  

[Thukydides]

Yes a capstan and a windlass perform the same function. Smaller vessels such as cutters tended to have windlasses and larger two or three masted vessels had capstans. However, I am not actually sure why this was the case. I assume in the case of larger vessels the double capstan allowed them to generate more power, but why a brig used a capstan and a cutter a windlass I am not sure.

[Dr PR]

Many smaller vessels (100 foot or less) did not have a capstan or windlass. It all depended upon the weight of the anchor and cable. On smaller vessels the anchor could be weighed by just a few men hauling on the lines of a block and tackle.

 

Here is a discussion of anchor handling on smaller vessels.

 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/27410-small-ship-anchor-handling/?do=findComment&comment=787942

 

Here is how I depicted this on my Albatros build:

 

https://modelshipworld.com/topic/19611-albatros-by-dr-pr-mantua-scale-148-revenue-cutter-kitbash-about-1815/?do=findComment&comment=1015509

[Javelin]

Yes, the reason is simply power. Capstans have more space to allow more people to push, certainly a double capstan. A windlass is restricted by its horizontal positioning. 

So if you need to pull more weight and have more space, a capstan is your choice. 

Smaller vessels have lighter weights to lift and are often limited in deck space, so windlasses come in handy. 

As Phil mentioned, for even smaller vessels it could be done by tackles. 

I suppose some of it is simply related to time frame, some of it by the accepted limits of human power. 

[Ian_Grant]

Love how your cat just had to work his/her way into your picture.............😉  Ours is like that too.

[bear]

Ahoy Ian

 

Boris always wantsto be right in front of me,most of the time he lays down before I can even get started to work at the desk. Then he is mad when I try to push him back. My late cat Pickels who was older would move out of the way,but stay right next and watch,not trying to play at all,even when I was rigging and had loose rope around. Boris loves to go after strips that move,especialy in the air. He is only 5 years old now, with still acting like a kitten. I am a widower,we live together in the house,he is my buddy and shadow with a loud voice. A Russian Blue with an attitude.

 

What is your cat?

 

Now back to working on the Confederacy's bulhead doors.

Keith from Troutdale,Oregon

[mtaylor]

He does look comfortable and happy to be involved with you.

[Dr PR]

Actually, it looks to me he is thinking "Why is he wasting time on all this stuff when he could be petting me?"