Warping is throwing an anchor either manually for a small ship or by rowing the anchor out and dropping it farther away for a larger ship. Then the ship would reel it to change position. Good for maneuvering in harbor. Etymologically related to “throwing” and essentially threading a needle across the sea.

Warp factor get you asses in the rowboat. Engage.

  • @delirious_owl
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    133 days ago

    How does one “throw” an anchor tho

      • @delirious_owl
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        52 days ago

        Does one simply throw a boat anchor with a cannon??

            • @XTL@sopuli.xyz
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              52 days ago

              I would definitely like to see a ship propel itself using a trebuchet and a windlass. Not enough to try building one, but still.

              • @delirious_owl
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                22 days ago

                Doesn’t this defy the laws of physics?

                • @gnu@lemmy.zip
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                  2 days ago

                  A trebuchet primarily transforms downward motion (of the counterweight) into forward motion, so it would actually work - the trebuchet doesn’t push the ship back as much as it pushes its load forward. This is particularly so if your trebuchet has wheels and you have room on your ship to accommodate it rocking back and forth when firing.

                  Edit: Thinking about it this technique would work even with something that does impart equal backwards force on the ship when firing a projectile, because there is considerably more force involved in winching the ship towards the anchor than what is involved in actually moving the anchor. You aren’t pulling against the inertia of a free floating anchor after all, you’re pulling against the ground the anchor has hooked into.

                  • @roguetrick@lemmy.worldOP
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                    42 days ago

                    Not only that, you’re using the friction between the anchor and the seafloor, so even the recoil of a propulsive ballista will allow you to perform work.

                • @roguetrick@lemmy.worldOP
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                  32 days ago

                  I’ve got a really wild idea: what if you change the shape of the anchor so that it’s actually getting resistance against the water itself instead of having to hit the sea floor. You’ll have to pull it out if the water once you’re done moving it and then drop it in again. Maybe put it on the end of a big stick. I’m thinking about calling this type of anchor an “oar.”

        • KillingTimeItself
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          22 days ago

          i would presume that would be what one is to do. It seems the logical solution here.

    • Victor
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      33 days ago

      If you do it in water it’s not as heavy.