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NICHOLLS'S SEAMANSHIP AND NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE

will give an approximate idea as to both size and length of chain
provided.

Length of steamer Length of cable Size of cable
m feet. in fathoms in inches

290 240 1J

375 270 2^

480 300 21

Larger steamers have longer and heavier cables. The Mauretania
has 330 fathoms, the size being 3f inches.

The cables of sailing ships are heavier, and they carry 30 fathoms
more than steamers of corresponding size.

Lloyd's Rules regulate the sizes of all anchors and cables for both
steam and sailing vessels according to their equipment number. This
is their longitudinal scantling number with an allowance for super-
structures added to it. The corresponding approximate lengths
quoted above have been given here, as they are more easily noted and
understood.

The length from shackle to shackle in the cable is- 15 fathoms in
merchant ships, 12 J fathoms in warships; the shackles being placed
in the cable with the bow or round end of the shackle forward so that'
it goes out first.

SHACKLES.

The shackles which join the lengths of cable together differ slightly
from those used for shackling it to the anchor. In the joining shackles

Anchor Shackle.

Joining Shackle.

Fig, 9.—Swivel Link.