A catapult was an ancient military engine for throwing arrows, darts, or stones, consisting of a strong wooden framework supporting a bow of wood or steel, which was bent by means of a windlass, the cord being finally released by a spring.
Catapults are thought to have been invented by Dionysius in 399 BC. Research Catapult
Crab is a name given to various machines, especially to a kind of portable windlass or machine for raising weights, etc. Crabs are much used in building operations for raising stones or other weights, and in loading and discharging vessels. They were originally called crabs on account of being equipped with claws, thereby resembling the familiar living crabs. Research Crab
Gin is the name of certain machines employed in raising weights. One form consists of three poles, 12 to 15 feet long, often tapering from the lower extremity to the top and united at their upper extremities whence a block and tackle is suspended. A space of 8 or 9 ft. separates the lower extremities planted in the ground, and a kind of windlass is attached to two of the legs. Another kind of gin was a sort of whim or windlass for raising coal, etc. It was worked by a horse, which turned a cylinder, which wound on it a rope, by which the weight was raised. Research Gin
A windlass is a device consisting of a cylinder to which is attached one end of a rope or chain which is wound onto the cylinder by means of a crank or motor.
Windlass are typically used for raising and lowering buckets into traditional wells. Research Windlass
A capstan is an engine for raising weights. A ship's capstan is a revolving barrel with a vertical axis powered by people used for winding cable, raising the anchor etc. A capstan is distinguished from a windlass by the axis, and consequently the barrel, being vertical. Research Capstan
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Catapult
