Bower Anchor

Many modern boats carry two anchors; a bower and a kedge. A bower, like the one seen above, is typically the meatier of the two, while the kedge is often an anchor used for stability or maneuvering. In the case of maneuvering or as 'kedging' or 'warping' as it was sometimes called, a boat would be lowered from the main vessel with the anchor, which was dropped some distance away. The crew aboard the main vessel would then ply the capstan, and the rode (cable attached to the anchor) would be haulled in, pulling the vessel in the direction of the anchor. This technique could be used to safely manuever through crowded harbors, progress through doldrums, angle the vessel to gain some tactical advantage in combat, or to dislodge a vessel that has run aground.

Kedging is still used in modern times; though with the advent of the engine for manuevering, it is normally only used to dislodge smaller vessels that have run aground. Boats too small to carry a dinghy (like ours) would usually do this by having one of its crew jump out and pull the anchor (usually floated on a life vest) far enough out to drop. Our kedge is a slightly smaller anchor I used to use on our rowboat.

The anchor seen above is a fluke or danforth design weighing about 40 lbs. The hinged flukes at the crown of the anchor dig into the seabed, and once imbeded can provide an enormous amount of resistance. They're also fairly compact and easy to stow.