or MAIN CAPSTAN, in a ship, a great piece of timber in the nature of a windlass, placed next behind the main-mast, its foot standing in a step on the lower deck, and its head between the upper decks; formed into several squares with holes in them. Its use use is to weigh the anchors, to hoise up or strike down top-masts, to heave any weighty matter, or to strain any rope that requireth a main force.

Jear Capstan is placed between the main-mast and the mizen, and serves to strain any rope, heave up on the jear rope or upon the viol, or hold off by at the weighing of an anchor.

Capstan-bars, the pieces of wood that are put into the capstan-holes, to heave up any thing of weight into the ship.

Pawl of a Capstan, a short piece of iron made fast to the deck, and resting upon the whelps, to keep the capstan from recoiling, which is of dangerous consequence.

Whelps of a Capstan are short pieces of wood, made fast to it, to keep the cable from coming too nigh, in turning it about.

Pawling the Capstan, is stopping it from turning by means of the pawl.

Come up Capstan, or launch out the Capstan, that is, slacken the cable which you heave by.