A 19th century American boarding pike

Rick · 20th May 2021, 06:16 PM

The Cathead is a beam that projects from the bow area where the stock of the anchor is secured when underway. The anchor is brought to the cathead and secured then the fluke end is 'fished' to secure that part of the anchor against the bows.
Without the cathead dropping and raising the anchor becomes problematic.
What better thing to carve on the end of the cathead than a cat's head!

20th May 2021, 06:16 PM	#28
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	The Cathead is a beam that projects from the bow area where the stock of the anchor is secured when underway. The anchor is brought to the cathead and secured then the fluke end is 'fished' to secure that part of the anchor against the bows. Without the cathead dropping and raising the anchor becomes problematic. What better thing to carve on the end of the cathead than a cat's head! Attached Images