belaying pin
Nautical line anchor
A belaying pin is a wooden or metal rod fitted into a rail on a sailing ship, used to secure ropes by winding them around it.
These pins allow sailors to quickly fasten and release lines controlling the sails.
Because they're removable and sturdy, belaying pins have historically doubled as improvised weapons in shipboard fights.
The sailor wrapped the halyard around the belaying pin to hold the sail in place.
Ropes controlling ship sails
- cleatShoe spike for grip
- halyardSail-hoisting tackle
- shroudBurial cloth or covering
- marlinspikePointed tool for splicing
tackle · mast · deck · rope · knot · capstan · ship · vessel
Fix securely in position
- tieEqual score, or neckwear
- bindFasten or obligate
- secureProtected from harm
- clampDevice for holding tight
cinch · grip · fix · attach · affix · mooring · anchor · steady
Organization with membership
- bludgeonHeavy blunt weapon
- cudgelThick wooden club
- mutinyRevolt against authority
- pirateMaritime thief or bootlegger
melee · strike · self-defense · boarding · combat · blunt instrument · wooden club
Era of wind-propelled ships
- seafaringTraveling by ocean vessel
- maritimeOf the sea
- voyageJourney by sea
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
naval · galleon · merchantman · whaler · square-rigged · shipbuilding · navigation · wooden ship
rigging
Ropes controlling ship sails
marlinspike · tackle · mast · deck · rope · knot · capstan · ship · vessel · sailor
fasten
Fix securely in position
clamp · cinch · grip · fix · attach · affix · mooring · anchor · steady · hold
club
Organization with membership
pirate · melee · strike · self-defense · boarding · combat · blunt instrument · wooden club
Age of Sail
Era of wind-propelled ships
exploration · naval · galleon · merchantman · whaler · square-rigged · shipbuilding · navigation · wooden ship