CAPSTAN
THE CAPSTAN.
The Ship's Capstan is a vertically mounted wooden or iron drum which was used to increase and multiply the pulling forces on a rope or hawser.
The manually operated Capstan usually had six square key holes located around the top circumference. Wooden Capstan bars (poles) were inserted into the keyholes so that six sailors could revolve the Capstan manually.
In use the rope or hawser was wound around the Capstan and then the Capstan bars were inserted, the sailors then pushed the Capstan bars whilst walking around the Capstan itself whilst stepping over the rope or hawser.
By using the Capstan, very heavy items could be lifted or moved. The most common use of the Capstan was to raise or lower the huge cast iron anchors that were carried aboard these sailing ships. This is also why the most common location for a capstan was near the ships bow and on the top of the Foc'sle.
In the photo above you can see there is a sailor sat on top of the Capstan and playing the accordian, so know doubt a sea shanty was being sung by the sailors as they operated the Capstan.
Some large sailing ships also had multiple Capstans on the deck too.
During the later years of the merchant sailing ship the Capstan became steam driven.
Eventually the Capstan was replaced by the more modern and efficient steam driven Windlass