FLOATING ANCHOR. This is a simple implement, which is sunk below the swell of the sea, where there is no other anchorage, for the purpose of preventing a vessel from drifting. Dr Franklin proposed that it should consist of a wooden cross, from the ends of which a sail should be stretched, covering the cross, and even all the extremities. It has also been used in the figure of an umbrella. The following plan is now adopted. Two flat iron bars, each half the length of the mid ship beam are riveted together with a saucer-headed bolt, clench ed at the points, that the bars may be swung together for more convenient stowage. At the four extremities of the bars is a hole in each, for a rope to pass through, which must be drawn tight, so as to extend them at right angles. To this rope is sewed a double or four fold canvas cloth, of a quadrangular shape, so that when used it is on the side of the bars next the vessel. In each bar are two holes, at equal distances from the cen tre, and to these holes the ends of two pieces of rope are fixed. The ropes are fastened together in the middle, so as to form a crow-foot, having an eye in the centre, which is well secured with spun yarn ; and to this is bent a cable, which, when the anchor is used, brings it into an inclined position in the water. An iron ring is fitted to the end of one of the bars, to which a buoy is fas tened by a rope of about 12 fathoms long, to prevent the anchor from sinking to the bottom. The Floating An chor is represented in Plate XXVII. Fig. 7. and the me thod of using it in Fig. 8. (c) To cast ANCHOR. The art of letting go the anchor to drop to the bottom of the sea, and retain the vessel in the situation desired. For the various practical methods of
doing so to the most advantage, and to insure the safety of the vessel, See Elements of Rigging and Seamanship; and Darcey Lever's Treatise. (c) Riding at ANCHOR. The state of a vessel on the surface of the water, when moored and secured in her proper station. When a fleet of many ships is moored in a port or road, care must be taken to preserve a con siderable distance between the vessels, not only for the purpose of keeping them clear of each other, but to prevent them from running foul, when getting under way. (c) To weigh AwellOR. The act of recovering the anchor from the bottom of the sea into the ship. In large ves sels, this operation is performed by means of a capstan, having great power, and aided by a number of hands. In smaller vessels it is done by a windlass. Weighing an anchor is frequently attended with considerable difficul ty, from the state of the weather, as well as the condition of the ship. Different methods of effecting this purpose are laid down in various works on the marine, already quoted. A new method of heaving, or fishing the anchor, by captain Ball, may be seen in the Transactions of the Society of Arts for 1808. (c) To sweep an ANCHOR. This is an operation which consists in dragging at the bottom of the sea for an an chor that has been lost. It is performed by fixing the two ends of a rope to two boats a little asunder, and sinking the middle of the rope, by means of a shot or some other weight : so that, on conducting it along the bottom, it may catch the anchor. (c)