What is This?

[Silentguns120]

So on almost plenty of ship models from 1650 to 1750 you can find a big beam across the foc’sl of ships of the line, what’s it called and what was it’s purpose and why did it disappear?

Any help with this topic would greatly be appreciated.

 

[Rich44]

It's a fish davit, used to help with hoisting the anchor, so as to avoid damaging the side of the hull.