Admiralty-pattern anchor from a ship of the line, about 1750

This was recovered off Sheerness, Kent, and was probably lost from a naval vessel- using this famous anchorage. The original stock was completely studded with nails to protect it from shipworm. The present oak stock is modern.

The sharp angle between the arms and the shank, and the pointed crown, show that it was made before improvements in the strength of iron used for anchor forging about 1800, and the introduction of the steam hammer for welding around 1830.

These anchors frequently broke at the throat and had to be returned for repair. This example is typical of the anchors used in the larger types of man-of-war.

Please do not climb on these anchors.

Bus to same scale.

One of the row of anchors placed along Park Row and displayed by the Greenwich Maritime Museum Click for a larger image

An admiral anchor (Fisherman), also called an anchor with a staff, is an anchor with two arms coming out of a long staff.

The anchor was taken on the same day Click for a larger image Click for a larger image