What Did Sailors Do If Their Anchor Becomes Permanently Stuck on the Ocean Floor?

Despite advances in technology, there are still instances where an anchor becomes permanently stuck on the ocean floor. In the absence of modern powered winches, sailors in the days of sailing ships had to rely on various techniques to free their anchors. Let's explore the historical methods and protocols used by sailors to handle such a situation.

The Basics: Tugging and Maneuvering

Usually, an anchor that gets stuck doesn't stay in place permanently. By moving the vessel over or above the anchor, it can often be dislodged. Starting with a long anchor rope or chain, pull the boat forward, tugging on the rope with significant force. As the boat passes over where the anchor was, you can now pull it effectively backwards. This works well if the hook hasn't got stuck in a hole or under a rock. One instance involving an anchor is when the ship moved over it, and it cleared. When the wind had stopped, the crew lifted and threw the anchor forward again.

The 'Sailing It Out' Technique

Historically, a technique called 'sailing it out of the ground' was used. This involved sailing the ship over the anchor with the cable as long as possible. When the slack was taken up, it exerted a big pull in the opposite direction. However, this method was dangerous and could cause broken spars if the ship couldn't pull the anchor free.

When Traditional Methods Fail

From the sailor's perspective, it's rarely clear if an anchor is stuck permanently. The first step is to try methods to dislodge it. For a small vessel in shallow water, a crew member might don a mask and flippers to inspect the situation. This is only advisable if the bottom is visible. For larger vessels, if attempts to dislodge the anchor fail, the typical protocol is to cut and run, then use a secondary anchor until a new one can be refitted.

Historical Techniques for Freeing Stuck Anchors

Here are some common historical techniques sailors used to free a stuck anchor:

Heaving on the Anchor Line

Manual Effort: The ship's crew would pull on the anchor line as hard as possible. This often required multiple crew members to create enough force to dislodge the anchor. Changing the Angle: By maneuvering the boat to change the angle of the anchor line, they could reduce pressure and free it.

Backing the Ship

The crew would sail the ship backwards, creating tension on the anchor line. This method was often used with sails or rowing if the wind was not favorable. In some cases, a kedge anchor was deployed to help pull the vessel away from the stuck anchor.

Using a Boat Hook or Grapple

If the anchor was visible or moderately accessible, a boat hook or grappling device was used to try to pull it free or dislodge any debris.

Diving or Sending a Diver Down

Underwater inspection was more common in shallower waters. A diver could attempt to free the anchor manually if they could reach it.

Cutting the Anchor Line

As a last resort, the anchor line could be cut to free the vessel. This was a risky move due to the loss of the anchor.

Using a Windlass or Capstan

For ships with a windlass or capstan, mechanical assistance was available to gain a mechanical advantage in pulling the anchor free. Turning the device would wind in the anchor line, applying steady force.

Conclusion

These methods required teamwork, ingenuity, and sometimes a bit of luck. The protocols varied by region and the specific challenges of the environment, but the fundamental goal was to free the anchor without causing damage to the vessel or losing the anchor when possible.