
Capstan
A capstan is a vertical-axled rotating machine used on ships for winding ropes, cables, and hawsers. It consists of a drum, or barrel, turned by a crank, and a vertical spindle, which provides the axis of rotation. The capstan is used for various purposes on board a ship, such as weighing anchor, mooring, and hauling cargo. The capstan is usually powered by steam, electricity, or hydraulic power. The size and power of the capstan depend on the size of the ship and the weight of the loads it is required to handle.
Your Previous Searches
Random Picks
- Fathom: A fathom is a unit of length used in the maritime industry to measure the depth of water. One fathom is equal to six feet or 1.8 meters. It is commonly used to measure the depth of water for navigation purposes, such as determining the dept ... Read More >>
- Bells: Bells are an important part of maritime tradition and safety. They are used to signal the time, mark the hours of the watch, and communicate with other vessels. Bells are also used to indicate the ship's position in foggy conditions, with d ... Read More >>
- Wavelength: In maritime context, wavelength refers to the distance between two consecutive crests or troughs of a wave. It is an important parameter in the study of ocean waves and their behavior. The wavelength of a wave is determined by the speed of ... Read More >>
Top News

Captain Cook's Endeavour confirmed to be in Rhode Island waters...
The location of the HMS Endeavour, a lost ship belonging to 18th-century British explorer Captain James Cook, has been confirmed as Rhode Island's Newport Harbor....
News Source: CBS News on 2025-06-17

Mapping Iran’s oil and gas sites and those attacked by Israel...
Iran is a top 10 oil and gas producer, making its energy sites crucial to both regional and global markets....
News Source: Al Jazeera English on 2025-06-17

Ships collide in Hormuz Strait in shadow of Israel-Iran war...
Incident in strategic waterway said to be 'not security related' despite potential effects of conflict....
News Source: Al Jazeera English on 2025-06-17

How else could Iran retaliate over the ongoing Israeli strikes targeting the cou...
As Israel pounds Iran with airstrikes targeting military facilities and its nuclear sites, officials in Tehran have proposed a variety of steps the Islamic Republic could take outside of launching ret...
News Source: ABC News on 2025-06-17

Wall Street isn’t freaking out about Israel and Iran yet. The Strait of Hormuz...
Global markets have remained relatively calm amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Iran. But that sentiment could quickly shift, according to experts, if the conflict affects the Strait of H...
News Source: CNN on 2025-06-17