Boatnerd Discussion Forum

Not an expert by any means, but my thought would be wherever the machinery is located. I don't know when the modern windlass came into being, but I wouldn't think it strange if the mooring winches also served as the anchor winches, given the times, and the compact spaces involved.

While examining old photos of steamers, I see the anchor lines exit the focsle at deck level or through a door in the bow about half way between the main and focsle deck. Why was this done? Was there a benefit to either design? And was the anchor cable stored in different ways to accommodate the designs? I am referring to steamers of the 1870-1900 era.