Propeller Indiana’s Capstan

Description:

The capstan, most commonly found on the decks of early steamboats, was used as a vertical winch for raising or lowering anchors, hoisting sails and cargo, hauling heavy lines, or other jobs where individual manpower was not enough.

It was operated manually, by putting timbers into the holes and using the resulting leverage to wind a line wrapped around the center of the device more easily. Sea chanties, or rhythmic songs, were often employed by ship crews to ensure that everyone hauled at the same time. Later in the 19th century, steam capstans and donkey engines replaced human muscle on the larger vessels.

Date Made: mid-1800s

Related Event: Expansion and Reform

Subject:

See more items in: Work and Industry: Maritime, Work, Energy & Power, Industry & Manufacturing, Transportation, On the Water exhibit

Exhibition: On the Water

Exhibition Location: National Museum of American History

Related Web Publication: http://americanhistory.si.edu/onthewater

Related Publication: On the Water online exhibition

Credit Line: John Steele and William Cohrs

Data Source: National Museum of American History

Id Number: 1984.0359.02Accession Number: 1984.0359Catalog Number: 1984.0359.02

Object Name: capstanOther Terms: capstan; Maritime

Measurements: overall: 34 in x 28 in; 86.36 cm x 71.12 cm

Guid: http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a6-8dc3-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa

Record Id: nmah_844625

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