| |
When the desired scope of chain is out, the conning
officer gives the order “PASS THE STOPPERS.” The
brake is set and the stoppers are applied and evened up,
the brake is taken off, and the chain is slacked between
the windlass and stopper. The brake is set, and the
wildcat is left disengaged. Before securing, all gear is
picked up and stowed.
Weighing Anchor
When you are weighing anchor, the same gear must
be available on the forecastle as for anchoring. In
addition, there is a grapnel (a small four-armed anchor)
used to retrieve the anchor buoy. A hose is rigged to wash
mud from the anchor and the chain. The windlass is
energized and tested, and then the wildcat is engaged.
The brake is then released and the wildcat is tested. The
brake is set, and all stoppers but one are cast off. When
ready, the report “READY TO HEAVE IN” is made to
the bridge.
On the command “HEAVE AROUND,” the brake
is taken off and the chain is heaved in enough to take the
strain off the stopper. The stopper is then cast off and
heaving is resumed. Reports are made to the bridge
periodically on the direction the chain is tending, the
amount of chain remaining out, and the degree of strain
on the chain. If the command were “HEAVE AROUND
TO SHORT STAY” the chain would be heaved in just
short of breaking out the anchor (pulling the anchor
loose from the bottom). When the chain is at short stay,
it is reported to the bridge. On the command “HEAVE
AROUND AND UP,” start heaving. When the flukes
have broken out, and the crown still rests on the bottom,
the report “ANCHOR IS UP AND DOWN” is made.
When the anchor is free of the bottom, it is said to be
“AWEIGH” and is so reported. At this time the jack and
anchor ball are hauled down and the ship is legally
underway. When the anchor comes into view and its
condition can be noted, the report “ANCHOR IN
SIGHT, CLEAR (or FOUL) ANCHOR” is made. The
anchor is reported as housed when the shank is in the
hawsepipe and the flukes are against the ship's side. The
anchor buoy is recovered as soon as possible, and a
report is made to the bridge when the anchor buoy is on
board. The anchor again is made ready for letting go and
kept that way until the anchor detail is told to secure it
after the ship is outside the harbor or channel.
To secure the anchor for sea, set the brake, then pass
the stoppers and even them. Take the brake off, then
slacken the chain between the wildcat and the stopper.
The brake is set and the wildcat is disengaged. To
prevent water from entering the chain locker, secure
buckler plates over the chain pipes for those ships with
open decks.
Stowing Chain
As the chain comes aboard, it passes along the deck,
on metal flash plates, around the wildcat, and down into
the chain locker. The chain goes into a locker as shown
in figure 4-12. The bitter end is secured to a pad eye
(ring) on the bulkhead of the chain locker.
All chain lockers on Navy ships are of the self-
stowing type. However, when working small chain, at
least two Seaman will be assigned to guard against any
possible pileup in the chain locker. The chain can be
kept from piling up by pushing any accumulation over
with a length of 2 by 4 lumber.
Securing
A stockless type anchor is housed in the hawsepipe
as shown in figure 4-12, and it is secured by passing the
stoppers. The anchor must be drawn taut in the hawse-
pipe by the outboard stopper to prevent the flukes from
banging the sides. Stoppers are attached to the chain by
straddling a link with the tongue and strong back of the
pelican hook. The bail is then closed on the pelican
hook. The toggle that keeps the pelican hook closed
must then be inserted in the tongue of the pelican hook
and the lanyard secured around the bail to prevent the
toggle pin from coming out. The turn buckles must be
adjusted so each stopper will take an equal strain.
Figure 4-12.–Stowage of chain.
4-11
|
