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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
The crew is working to raise the anchor: "Yo heave ho! Heave and pawl! Heave hearty ho!” The capstan windlass has a ratchet that prevents anchor from going down between efforts. The pawl can ride up and over the slanting part of the teeth of the ratchet, and then drop down and engage on vertical part of a tooth.
pawl n. 5akin ? to Du pal, pawl, stake, pole6 a mechanical device allowing rotation in only one direction: one type consists of a hinged tongue, the tip of which engages the notches of a ratchet wheel, preventing backward motion: see RATCHET, illus. Here's a diagram: http://www.btinternet.com/~ajb.software/techweb/epscweb/mech1.htm
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
mav's comment in the ROVE thread*, has me wonder if i have been hearing a mondegreen, in the sea shanty,
Heave away, haul (or is it pawl?) away, We're bound for South Australia!
*The word he quotes in that thread are close to versions i have heard... i know lines or two from hundreds of folk songs and shanties i have heard over the year.. when it comes to drinking songs, i usually know all of the words!
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