Anchor windlass
![An anchor windlass within the forecastle on the main deck of the sailing ship Balclutha. The vertical shaft is rotated by crew driving a portion of the capstan above.](/Images/godic/202412/20/AnchorWindlass2738.jpg")
![The combined port anchor windlass and winch of the modern ferry Stena Britannica. The hydraulically operated brake and pawl allows the anchor to be dropped from the ship's bridge.](/Images/godic/202412/20/Modern_ship_windlass2738.jpg")
![Securing a devil's claw on a large anchor chain](/Images/godic/202412/20/Securing_devils_claw2738.gif")
A "windlass" is a machine used on ships that is used to let-out and heave-up equipment such as for example a ship's anchor or a fishing trawl.
An anchor windlass is a machine that restrains and manipulates the anchor chain on a boat, allowing the anchor to be raised and lowered by means of chain cable. A notched wheel engages the links of the chain or the rope. A "trawl windlass" is a similar machine that restrains or manipulates the trawl on a commercial fishing vessel. The trawl is a sort of big fishing net that is wound on the windlass. The fishermen either let-out the trawl or heaves-up the trawl during fishing operations. A brake is provided for control and a windlass is usually powered by an electric or hydraulic motor operating via a gear train.