This addition is often seen as an aid to anchoring; but ships of this general hull form had been safely anchoring for centuries, albeit with heavy weights rather than the more familiar shaped anchor. It seems more likely that this short bowsprit was used to hold braces from the leading edge of the sail as far forward as possible, to aid the ability of the square rigged ship to sail upwind. It might be possible that once fitted for this purpose, it was then seen as the ideal place to hang a sharp-fluked anchor clear of the hull sides.
Ship
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