Friday, July 22, 2016

Aloha to San Diego: USS Midway (Part 3) - The Anchor Room

 

The walking tour of the USS Midway included the Fo'c'sle, slang for forecastle, the forward castle or anchor room:

Although aircraft carriers usually moor alongside piers in modern harbors, there are occasions where an ancient method of securing the ship in shallow water can used: anchoring.  

Cast steel anchors can weigh up to 20 tons, yet it is the chain which fixes the ship to the bottom. With each link weighing 130 pounds, enough chain for 6 to 8 times the water's depth is run, or paid out after the anchor strikes the bottom and as the ship backs away.  Therefore it is the total weight of the chain which holds the ship to her anchorage.  

The large mushroom shaped objects near the end of the chain are called windlasses. The sprocket of the windlass is called the wildcat and engages the links as they come up the chain pipe from where the rest of the chain is stored below decks in the chain locker.


The windlass demonstrates Navy Pride.


We could peek out under the flight deck ... 


... to see Naval Base Coronado.


Scouts would enjoy the knot board ...


... and The Chip Log which explains why we measure a ship's speed in knots (link).


Do you know how to tie knots?  One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog spots wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, July 23, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 24, at SOS Aloha.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City

Next:  The War Room and the Ready Room


8 comments:

  1. Yes, I can tie knots, but craft knots - macrame, knitting, etc. It looks like you did a lot on your RWA trip!

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  2. I can tie knots. I used to teach them to Girl Scout leaders. Now it has been a few years and I would have to practice again.

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  3. No I do not know how, it would be a good idea though to learn. Thanks for the great pictures.

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  4. I think they showed us a few in the Girl Scouts but I'd need a refresher course lol. Fascinating about the anchor and chain.

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  5. No, I don't know how to tie knots. Would be interesting to learn how.

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  6. Don't know hot to tie knots.

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  7. I learned a few knots from my Dad (he was in the Navy in WWII) and also in Girl Scouts.

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