Warping (sailing)

A kedge (also: anchor drag, grapple or shortly Warp ) is a small size in relation to the ship anchors for warping the ship. The term Warp or kedge derives from Middle Low German warp to werpen ( throw ) from.

The kedge is applied with a dinghy in the direction in which the ship is to be moved. Then the ship, by obtaining the anchor line, which is referred to as the kedge Warpleine be moved. The hauling is done on ships and bigger boats means windlass. Precondition is a correspondingly low water depth and an anchor- efficient basic and mostly the coastal area. Compared to the towing by a dinghy there is the advantage that it can be hauled with great force against a strong current or strong wind.

For warping over larger distances is working with two Warpankern alternately: If the ship has been moved close to the first kedge, the second at a greater distance is discharged from the ship. At the outbreak of the first anchor from the base, the ship is thereby still held by the second, with which it is then hauled. When approaching the second anchor, the first anchor is again dropped, etc.

The method was in use particularly in non-motorized sailing ships and was also used at the time of sailing warships to outmaneuver an enemy ship with unfavorable wind. For example, escaped the USS Constitution on July 17, 1812 in Egg Harbor during a lull through the use of Warpankern (English: kedging ) their persecutors. Since there are hardly any larger motorless sailboats today, the process is rarely required.

An example of the warping on modern sailboats represents a special berthing in strong onshore winds, which can be applied with little distance to the Nachbarliegern at the Pier: The mooring lines are set to slip; by dinghy, an anchor is deployed where is weggewarpt under weigh the mooring lines from the pier, before the anchor with the engine running (or, if that does not exist under sails set ) is recovered. The maneuver is because of the - large expense hardly used - compared to maneuver evaporation in the Vorspring.

Itemization

• Marine equipment
• Sailing