the flukes perpendicularly to the surface of the ground. According to
their various form and size, anchors obtain the epithets of the _sheet_,
_best bower_, _small bower_, _spare_, _stream_, _kedge_, and _grapling_
(which see under their respective heads).

_Anchor floating_, _see_ FLOATING ANCHOR.--_At anchor_, the situation of
a ship which rides by its anchor.--_To anchor_, to cast or to let go the
anchor, so that it falls into the ground for the ship to ride
thereby.--_To anchor_ with a spring on the cable, _see_ SPRING. _Anchor_
is also used figuratively for anything which confers security or
stability.

ANCHORABLE. Fit for anchorage.

ANCHORAGE. Ground which is suitable, and neither too deep, shallow, or
exposed for ships to ride in safety upon; also the set of anchors
belonging to a ship; also a royal duty levied from vessels coming to a
port or roadstead for the use of its advantages. It is generally marked
on the charts by an anchor, and described according to its attributes of
good, snug, open, or exposed.

ANCHOR-BALL. A pyrotechnical combustible attached to a grapnel for
adhering to and setting fire to ships.

ANCHOR-CHOCKS. Pieces indented into a wooden anchor-stock where it has
become worn or defective in the way of the shank; also pieces of wood or
iron on which an anchor rests when it is stowed.

ANCHOR-DAVIT. _See_ DAVIT.

ANCHORED. Held by the anchor; also the act of having cast anchor.

ANCHOR-HOLD. The fastness of the flukes on the ground; also the act of
having cast anchor, and taken the ground. (_See_ HOME.)

ANCHOR-HOOPS. Strong iron hoops, binding the stock to the end of the
shank and over the nuts of the anchor.

ANCHOR-ICE. The ice which is formed on and incrustates the beds of lakes
and rivers: the _ground-gru_ of the eastern counties of England. (_See_
ICE-ANCHOR.)

ANCHORING. The act of casting anchor.--_Anchoring ground_ is that where
anchors will find bottom, fix themselves, and hold ships securely: free
from rocks, wrecks, or other matters which would break or foul the
anchor or injure the cable. In legal points it is not admitted as either
port, creek, road, or roadstead, unless it be _statio tutissima nautis_.
A vessel dropping anchor in known foul ground, or where any danger is
incurred by inability to recover the anchor, or by being there detained
until driven off by stress of weather, is not legally anchored.

ANCHOR-LINING. The short pieces of plank fastened to the side