Propeller Indiana’s Capstan
Propeller Indiana’s Capstan
Usage conditions apply
- 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.
- Object Name
- capstan
- Other Terms
- capstan; Maritime
- date made
- mid-1800s
- Measurements
- overall: 34 in x 28 in; 86.36 cm x 71.12 cm
- ID Number
- 1984.0359.02
- accession number
- 1984.0359
- catalog number
- 1984.0359.02
- Credit Line
- John Steele and William Cohrs
- Expansion and Reform
- 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
- Data Source
- National Museum of American History
Nominate this object for photography.
Our collection database is a work in progress. We may update this record based on further research and review. Learn more about our approach to sharing our collection online.
If you would like to know how you can use content on this page, see the Smithsonian's Terms of Use. If you need to request an image for publication or other use, please visit Rights and Reproductions.
Note: Comment submission is temporarily unavailable while we make improvements to the site. We apologize for the interruption. If you have a question relating to the museum's collections, please first check our Collections FAQ. If you require a personal response, please use our Contact page.
