I 



Commander Pearse on the Formation of AncJiors. 221 



anchors of the same weight, differing in the length of their 

 shanks, but having arms of equal length, and forming the 

 same angles with the shanks. The lower arms are supposed 

 to be buried in the ground, as denoted by the dotted lines DE 

 and CF. The hues AA represent the cables. 



It will appear evident that the strain of the ship must 

 operate at the points B,B, and, therefore, by the principles of 

 the lever, CB, in Figure 4th, being longer, and consequently 

 producing a greater power than DB in Figure 5th, the for- 

 mer must be more liable to break its hold than the latter, and 

 a ship, consequently, must ride the safest with a short-shanked 

 anchor. 



It is a great advantage to have a good holding anchor, when 

 getting a ship under weigh in a confined harbour, when 

 anchored among many ships, or when blowing strong, as it 

 admits of the cable being hove very short, without danger, 

 before the sails are hoisted. It lessens also the labour and 

 time in heaving in cable afterwards, and often prevents the 

 anchor from breaking its hold before the cable is up and down, 

 or perpendicular. And at those times the advantage must ap- 

 pear in favour of a short shank. 



If two anchors are of the same weight, and the same length 

 in their arms, but differing in the lengths of their shanks, the 

 several parts of the short one must be of greater substance, 

 and consequently much stronger. 



There appears, however, to be another advantage in favour 

 of a short shank. Figures 6th and 7th represent two anchors 

 of the same dimensions as Figures 4tli and 5th. They are both 

 supposed to have just taken the ground. It will be seen that 

 the lower arm of Figure 7th is nearer a perpendicular than the 

 arm of Figure 6th ; consequently, it will at first strike deeper, 

 and take a firmer hold in the ground, and be more likely to 

 retain it in the event of being checked by the cable. This will 

 be an advantage when anchoring and confined for room, or 

 when pointing a cable and having to let go the short or spare 

 anchor. 



As far as I can speak from my own practical experience, I give 

 the preference to the short shank. I have commanded different 

 vessels nearly eight years, and the whole time accustomed to 



