An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, that is used to connect a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the vessel from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ancora, which itself comes from the Greek ἄγκυρα (ankura ).
Anchors can either be temporary or permanent. A permanent anchor is used in the creation of a mooring, and is rarely moved; a specialist service is normally needed to move or maintain it. Vessels carry one or more temporary anchors, which may be of different designs and weights.
A sea anchor is a drogue, not in contact with the seabed, used to control a drifting vessel.
Read more about Anchor: Overview, Evolution of The Anchor, Small Boat Anchors, Permanent Anchors, Anchoring Gear, Anchoring Techniques, In Heraldry
Famous quotes containing the word anchor:
“The daughter of debate, that eke discord doth sow,
Shall reap no gain where former rule hath taught still peace to
grow.
No foreign banished wight shall anchor in this port;
Our realm it brooks no strangers force, let them elsewhere resort.”
—Elizabeth I (15331603)
“This could be the day.
I could slip anchor and wander
to the end of the jetty
uncoil into the waters
a vessel of light moonglade
ride the freshets to sundown”
—Audre Lorde (19341992)
“the anchor weeps
Its red rust downward,”
—Louise Bogan (18971970)