Object #8

Sea Anchor from the USS Constitution

As we continue through our naval history journey, keep in mind that for much of recorded history, one of the only other non-manpowered methods of propulsion on the high seas was wind. Raises the obvious question of what do when the wind dies. Today we discuss a piece of equipment called a "sea anchor" and how the most famous ship in the U.S. Navy worked to solve the problem of no wind during the War of 1812.