SHANK, or SHANK-Pointer, in a ship, is a short
chain fastened under the foresail threads, by a bolt, to
the ship's sides, having at the other end a rope fastened
to it. On this shank-pointer the whole weight of the
aft part of the anchor rests, when it lies by the ship's side.
The rope, by which it is hauled up, is made fast about a
timber head.