Anchor windlass

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An anchor windlass within the forecastle on the main deck of the sailing ship Balclutha. The vertical shaft is rotated by a portion of the capstan above

An anchor windlass is a machine that restrains and manipulates the anchor chain on a ship, allowing the anchor to be raised and lowered. Notched pulleys engage the links of the chain. A brake is provided for control and the windlass is usually powered by an electric motor or a small steam engine operating the pulleys through a gear train. Sailing ships drive the windlass from a shaft from a capstan located on the deck above.

Breakdown of a sailing ship
Parts of a sailing ship
Anchor \|Anchor windlass \| Bilgeboard \| Capstan \| Centreboard \| Daggerboard \| Deck \| Figurehead \| Forecastle \| Gunwale \| Hull \| Jackline \| Leeboard \| Mast \| Orlop deck \| Poop deck \| Rudder \| Ship's wheel \| Skeg \| Stern \| Tiller \| Winch

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Types of Sail Spars
Bowsprit \| Fore (mast) \| Gaff \| Jigger (mast) \| Main (mast) \| Mast \| Mizzen (mast) \| Spar \| Spinnaker Pole \| Yard
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