I've seen a lot of fantastic versions of HMS Alert from the group build and have questions.
What's the right to weigh anchor with a windlass. It seems impractical to use a messenger rope as you would with a capstan because the windlass is so far forward and the messenger wouldn't be able to track over where the cable is being stowed below deck.
Is the windlass wider than the height of a capstan because you are winching the actual anchor cable rather than the messenger?
Were there crew aft of the windlass hauling cable towards the stern towards below deck? I understand there were always crew below coiling the cable to allow for ease of use and proper drying.
For a ship with a large windlass forward and capstan aft, which device was used to haul anchor? I ask because I built Hayling Hoy, a harbor ship meant to haul goods to and from other ships, and it has both.
More of historical learning but also to represent the situation properly. Any comments and diagrams welcome. I've done some searching and came up empty handed but I know some on the forum just know.
Thanks!
What's the right to weigh anchor with a windlass. It seems impractical to use a messenger rope as you would with a capstan because the windlass is so far forward and the messenger wouldn't be able to track over where the cable is being stowed below deck.
Is the windlass wider than the height of a capstan because you are winching the actual anchor cable rather than the messenger?
Were there crew aft of the windlass hauling cable towards the stern towards below deck? I understand there were always crew below coiling the cable to allow for ease of use and proper drying.
For a ship with a large windlass forward and capstan aft, which device was used to haul anchor? I ask because I built Hayling Hoy, a harbor ship meant to haul goods to and from other ships, and it has both.
More of historical learning but also to represent the situation properly. Any comments and diagrams welcome. I've done some searching and came up empty handed but I know some on the forum just know.
Thanks!