Cat-falls
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Revision as of 14:38, 18 November 2008
The cat-falls are tackle-falls attached to the cat-head at the bow of a sailing vessel. These multi-purchase tackles -- often six- or even eight-part falls, meaning that the line runs between three sheaves in the cat-head and a three-sheave block -- are used to secure a pendant-anchor to the bow. After the anchor has been hauled up to the surface by the capstan, the cat-falls would be affixed to it. The mechanical advantage provided by the falls would allow men to haul the anchor up snugly to the cat-head, where it might be bowsed tightly to the bow to prevent its movement. Hauling directly on the cat-falls allows for more precise movement than does use of the capstan.
