messenger cable

[Signet]

Is the viol only used with a windlass and the messenger only used with a capstan? Or is that too generalized?

To me, the major difference between a viol and messenger cable is that a messenger cable requires a capstan near the center or rear of the ship, while a viol uses a forward-mounted capstan or windlass, with large pulleys for the viol cable to haul the anchor rope further aft. Apparently ships could and did have viols converted to messengers by adding a capstan later on as it became more standard.

 

[Signet]

On the subject of s (which is what the Viol and Messenger cables are there for, right?), would the extra Bower (or Sheet) anchor and/or the Kedge anchor be already fitted with anchor cables, or would they be simply stored as per Goodwin's drawings, with no anchor cables attached?

The extra Bower or Sheet anchor is a spare, as I understand it, so probably wouldn't have a cable attached, but the Kedge anchor was used for maneuvering, so possibly it would be rigged? Although it's pretty far away from the hawse holes (and cathead), so I don't know.

 

[Uwek]

On the subject of s (which is what the Viol and Messenger cables are there for, right?), would the extra Bower (or Sheet) anchor and/or the Kedge anchor be already fitted with anchor cables, or would they be simply stored as per Goodwin's drawings, with no anchor cables attached?
View attachment 464733
The extra Bower or Sheet anchor is a spare, as I understand it, so probably wouldn't have a cable attached, but the Kedge anchor was used for maneuvering, so possibly it would be rigged? Although it's pretty far away from the hawse holes (and cathead), so I don't know.

As I know, the sheet was not fitted with a cable,
and also the kedge was not fitted with a cable - btw: the kedge was usually manouvered via a ships boat and not from the bow
but also here I have to read some more .......

 

[Uwek]

I'm not sure what in the above photo is not consistent with the viol-cable system.

both viol cables were still fixed with nippers to the anchor cable, although one anchor is already stored and fixed -> with this there is no need to have a viol cable.
I guess, that they dismantled the viol(s) when they are sailing - no need to have them on deck

 

[Don Case]

I've been wondering about this for the Discovery1789. As she was anchoring almost every night as she worked her way up the coast I was wondering how much stowing away there would be. I'm leaning toward leaving the messenger rigged and maybe just having the anchor hanging from the cathead. If anyone has any theories about this situation please chime in.

 

[Signet]

both viol cables were still fixed with nippers to the anchor cable, although one anchor is already stored and fixed -> with this there is no need to have a viol cable.
I guess, that they dismantled the viol(s) when they are sailing - no need to have them on deck

That makes perfect sense, although I never thought about it that way. Thanks!

 

[Ben Gilbert]

I stand corrected, Allan is right it's a cablet.

Edit: I should read my own papers :-D

Dirk

Just came across this interesting thread and I noticed the description of the photo of the anchor cable and messenger aboard HMS Victory. This seems to show a cable laid (left hand) anchor cable and a left hand laid hawser messenger (why there would be a left hand laid hawser is curious). The messenger shows no signs of parcelling, so it looks like simple three strand hawser only left hand.

 

[Signet]

Just came across this interesting thread and I noticed the description of the photo of the anchor cable and messenger aboard HMS Victory. This seems to show a cable laid (left hand) anchor cable and a left hand laid hawser messenger (why there would be a left hand laid hawser is curious). The messenger shows no signs of parcelling, so it looks like simple three strand hawser only left hand.

Interesting thread?

 

[Roger Pellett]

Don, I don’t believe that the ship would sail in unprotected waters with the anchor hanging from the cathead. These were massive weights that could do serious damage to the vessel’s hull in any sort of seaway. These ships had large crews with nothing better to do than to secure the anchor.

Roger

 

[Graham]

The messenger cable was tied to the main anchor rope with short lengths of rope called 'nippers'. The job was usually given to the younger members of the crew, it is thought due to their small size and speed. Here in the UK it was a common term (and still is in some parts of the country) to refer to young children as Nippers. True story.