ANCHORS AND CABLES

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and the cables from each mushroom to the lower links. The swivel
turns when the vessel swings round to the tide and so prevents the
cables twisting round each other thus ensuring a "clear" hawse.

Fig 7.—Mushroom Anchors.

A Sea Anchor is simply a tapered canvas bag the small end being
also open. It is part of the compulsory equipment of ships' life-boats
and is thrown out ahead of the boat with a line attached to the bridle
to keep the boat head on to wind and sea when it is impossible to make
headway against the wind* A small canvas hag with needle holes

Fig. 8.—Sea Anchor.
punctured in it and filled with oil is lashed to the sea anchor, and the
oil, spreading on the surface of the water, helps to smoothen the sea in
the track of the boat and makes conditions more comfortable.
Chain Cable is measured by the diameter of the iron forming the
links. Studs are fitted in the links to keep chain from kinking and,
incidentally, they add to its strength. The size of cables for a steamer
depends upon the size and type of the vessel. The following table