STOPPERS

Thus, the anchors, when first hoisted up from the ground, are hung to the cat-head, by a stopper attached to the latter, which, passing through the anchor-ring, is afterwards fastened to the timber head, n, fig. 10. plate IV. and the same rope serves to fasten it on the bow at sea; or to suspend it by the ring, when it is to be sunk from the ship to the bottom.

Plate IV

The stoppers of the cables have a large knot, and a laniard at one end, and are fastened to a ring-bolt in the deck, by the other. They are attached to the cable, by the laniard, which is fastened securely round both by several turns passed behind the knot, or about the neck of the stopper; by which means the cable is restrained from running out of the ship, when the rides at anchor. See also BITS and RING-ROPE.

The stoppers of the shrouds have a knot and a laniard at each end. They are used only when the shrouds are cut asunder in battle, or disabled by tempestuous weather; at which time they are lashed, in the same manner as those of the cables, to the separated parts of the shroud, which are thereby reunited, so as to be fit for immediate service. This, however, is only a temporary expedient, applied when there is not time or opportunity to refit them, by a more complete operation.

Reference Works