anchor chain (Moved by moderator)

[ulrich]

Hello you'all

 

I am working on the Skip Jack Willie Bennett. A mystery, I haven't been able to solve is:

where does the anchor chain end up being secured to?

Does any one have the answer?

Regards,

Ulrich

[russ]

The chain should wrap several times around the warping heads that are on the outer part of the windlass.

 

Russ

[ulrich]

Thanks, Russ

I kind'a thought that. So, is the end of the chain just laying around on deck or hanging down off the warping heads or is it fastened to something? 

Regards,

Ulrich

[russ]

I have never seen any attachment for that free end of the chain in these working boats here in the states. Just wrapped several times around the warping head.

 

Russ

[ulrich]

Thanks again, Russ.

It will be laying on deck after winding it around the drum.

Ulrich

[popeye2sea]

On Naval vessels (modern) the bitter end of the anchor chain is shackled to a pad eye in the chain locker.  I can't imagine that it would be left loose on any vessel.  If it was ever to let loose and run free it would be too easy to lose the entire thing overboard.  The last fathoms are painted red so that you know to set the chain brake soon or you are going to lose it.

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7pRfix_sNg

[russ]

Henry:

On a larger, offshore vessel, there would most likely be a chain locker, but we are talking about an oyster boat that works close inshore and in only a few feet of water. There is no chain locker on such a small vessel and the chain is usually just wrapped around the warping heads on a very simple windlass that is bolted to the bowsprit bitts.

 

Russ