Capstan

If you see this piece of equipment on our deck, you may not realize this tool is almost 700 years old and has hardly changed ever since. This is called a capstan and this tool was first described in the year 1325 by the French. (see this picture) They called it 'Cabestant' and that comes from the Latin words 'Capestre', 'Capistrum', 'Capere'; meaning pulley cord, halter and to hold. Also the word 'Capable' comes from this decktool. There are no more A/B's running around the capstan you see here, we can operate it from the bridge. On the aftdeck of a tug, you can't work without it. Without realizing it, we use the capstan daily for pulling at almost everything you can think of.

This is a part of a capstan shanty the sailor's used to sing when heaving the anchor cable

It's now the storm is over
And we are safe onshore
We'll drink a toast to the Holy Ground
And the girls that we adore
We'll drink strong ale and porter
And we'll make the taproom roar,
And when our money is all spent
We'll go to sea once more