MODEL OF SAILING SHIPS DOUBLE HEADED CAPSTAN as of Ca 1805. SIZE: 10″ W x 10″ x 16 H WEIGHT: 4 pounds. The capstan was driven by wood bars inserted in the notches at the head of the capstan and were turned by two or more crew at each bar. The upper capstan was at deck level, and was used to hoist sails and yards on the masts and moving other heavy gear. The lower capstan was inside the hull and was used to hoist the anchor. As the size of the cable grew in diameter and became too large to wind around the center of the capstan, a smaller line called a messenger was used. The messenger was attached to the anchor cable using small removable lines called stoppers that gripped the anchor cable as it was raised. As the cable reached the hold access, they were removed and the anchor cable was fed into the chain locker where it was coiled for future use. It could be a long process depending on how much of the cable was in the water. This type of model that could possibly accompany a patent application except that it is missing the pawls and there is no ratcheting mechanism to hold the drum from reversing direction. We believe it is intended to be a display model British ships anchor capstan. It is finely finished with a varnish coating. Looking up at double headed capstan model. Close up of the upper capstan. View at eye level of the ratchet on lower capstan. BELOW, as a comparative example – THE SMTHSONIAN CAPSTAN PATENT MODEL. The model is made of wood with metal shafts and cogs. It measures 14″ L x 10″ H x 6 1/2 W. Two boards joined by four corner posts represent the decks of a vessel. On the upper deck sits a capstan (furnished with one sample capstan bar); next to it is a shaft end, ready to receive a small gear or pinion (now missing). Between the two decks there are three vertical shafts, each mounting one or two gears. One shaft is formed into a crank. CONDITION: The model is in excellent condition. There are no pawls fitted to the model which would keep it from turning backwards due to a load. Return items must be insured for their full value. International buyers welcome, but inquire first. Maarten, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, USVI, Vanuatu (New Hebrides) and the Eastern Caribbean. The item “SAILING SHIPS DOUBLE HEADED CAPSTAN MODEL FOR PATENT APPLICATION PRICE REDUCTION” is in sale since Friday, August 29, 2014. This item is in the category “Collectibles\Transportation\Boats & Ships\Other Boat & Ship Collectibles”. The seller is “authentic_nautical_antiques” and is located in Palm City, Florida. This item can be shipped to United States, to all countries in Europe, to all countries in continental Asia, to Canada, to Australia.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United Kingdom
SAILING SHIPS DOUBLE HEADED CAPSTAN MODEL FOR PATENT APPLICATION PRICE REDUCTION