Color Temperature

Chine

Chock

Chainwheel

Cleat

Capstan

Chainstopper

Chartplotter

Compass

Cable Run

Catamaran

Capsize

Candela

Understanding Capstan: An Insight into Historical Maritime Tools

A capstan is a large, vertical winch used extensively on sailing ships to apply force to ropes, cables, and hawsers. The key purpose of a capstan is to maintain control over heavy loads in a safe and effective manner. Typically, a capstan is found on the weather deck of a ship and could be operated by multiple sailors depending upon the load. During the age of sail, capstans were primarily used for tasks such as hoisting the anchor or loading cargo, which required controlling heavy weights.

Within the maritime world, capstans are versatile tools, employed for a multitude of different purposes depending upon the ship's size and layout. The primary use of a capstan within the maritime sector is to aid in the raising and lowering of heavy weights, particularly in the handling of anchors. Their fundamental principle allows a single sailor, or a small group, to exert force far beyond their combined strength by leveraging their body weight and the capstan’s mechanical advantage.

When discussing capstans, the term often gets interchanged with 'windlass', another maritime tool. While both are used for similar tasks, there are key differences. A windlass, like a capstan, is also a type of winch used primarily for anchoring and mooring operations. The fundamental difference lies in their orientation and operation. A capstan is vertically mounted and rotates around a vertical axis, while a windlass is horizontally mounted and revolves around a horizontal axis. Additionally, windlasses usually encompass a horizontal wheel (gypsy) with pockets or notches that fit the chain links of an anchor, providing control over the chain's movement.

Meaning of 'Capstan' in Nautical Glossary

In broad marine terms, 'capstan' stands for a device used for hoisting anchors or any heavy object on board a vessel. The term originally comes from Old French, 'capestan' or 'cabestan', referring to a winding rope device. Typically made from wood or iron, a capstan consists of a vertical cylinder which is revolved to wind in a rope or cable to lift heavy weights. Primitively hand-powered, modern capstans are often powered by hydraulic or electric systems, making them more effective and efficient than their predecessors. 

In conclusion, the term capstan represents an enduring piece of equipment, a cornerstone of nautical engineering, and a testament to maritime history with its vital role in seafaring-kind’s capacity to harness the ocean and beyond.

Capstan
Definition and Examples

Accurate marine forecasts for free.

CapstanDefinition and Examples

Accurate marine forecasts for free.

Capstan
Definition and Examples