East Toledo in Lucas County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Capstan

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 17, 2022

1. Capstan Marker

Inscription. Dropping and raising the anchor on a large ship is a big job- too big for manpower alone. Sometime in the 14th century, Spanish shipbuilders came up with a solution: the capstan. The first capstans were timbers mounted vertically in the ship. Sailors turned the timber by pushing on bars inserted in the timber. As the timber turned, the anchor rope wrapped around it and reeled in the anchor. The capstan also could be used to send masts up and down or load heavy items such as cannons. Later capstans were made of iron. Today's capstans are entirely mechanical, requiring just the push of a button.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Waterways & Vessels.

Location. 41° 39.391′ N, 83° 30.949′ W. Marker is in Toledo, Ohio, in Lucas County. It is in East Toledo. It is on Front Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1701 Front St, Toledo OH 43605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore.

It is also in the American Midwest,

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on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Anchors (here, next to this marker); SS Col. James M. Schoonmaker (within shouting distance of this marker); Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Col. James M. Schoonmaker (within shouting distance of this marker); Radio Direction Finder (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Col. James M. Schoonmaker (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Col. James M. Schoonmaker (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Col. James M. Schoonmaker (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Toledo.

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 17, 2022

2. Capstan Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 17, 2022

3. Capstan Marker

Photographed by Craig Doda, June 17, 2022

4. Capstan Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 249 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 26, 2022, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.