A handspike is a detachable bar used as a lever in naval warfare. It can be used to spin a capstan, move artillery, aim a cannon higher, or leverage a cargo with a windlass. Both the thick, rectangular end, which goes into the objects being pushed, and the thin, rounded end make up the handspike. There were handspike holes in almost every ship’s windlass.
It could also be used as a blunt weapon due to its potential construction from metal, metal-set wood, or hardwood (often oak).
At that time, the pump windlass had not yet replaced the intermittent force of the handspikes.
— Victor Hugo, The Workers of the Sea, 1891.
Origin of the Handspikes
Human and animal muscle were the first civilizations’ go-to power plants. One apparent use of human strength is the transportation of goods. But there may need to be more than one person involved in order to lift heavier things and the number of individuals that can be used to move an item is limited by the quantity of grip space that is available for humans.
As a workaround, mechanical devices that facilitate the manipulation of things were created. The windlass was one tool that might be employed since it included the use of ropes and pulleys. As a workaround, mechanical devices that facilitate the manipulation of things were created.
The windlass was one tool that might be employed since it included the use of ropes and pulleys. A group of people pushed or pulled on handspikes connected to a cylinder to power the device. Tools similar to handspikes were part of ancient Roman technology.
It is a bar or lever, often made of wood, that may be used to heave an anchor, turn a windlass or capstan, and perform other tasks.
Etymology of the Handspike
The origin of this term may be traced back to 1648 when it was first used as a technical term, but its meaning today—”a stick held in the hand”—comes from the Dutch handtspeecke. Its phonetic similarity led to the development of the English name handspike.
Use of the Handspike
The handspike in a capstan is installed into the capstan’s individual cells. In this scenario, the handspike is a horizontal lever arm that’s retracted before each move. There are a wide variety of handspikes that can be utilized, all of which depend on the size of the capstan.
The handspike was a popular tool, especially during the Age of Sail from the 17th century to the mid-19th century. Instead of using clamps, which could cause damage to the decks, two handspikes were utilized to move each cannon in a warship. They helped in maneuvering the cannon and setting the proper firing height.
A Bar or Lever
In the past, the term “handspike” was used for a bar or lever, often made of wood. A few locks on England’s Calder and Hebble Navigation, which were opened for boats in 1770, still require the use of a handspike. This specific handspike is 2-by-4 inches with one end bent to enable a better grip. The working of this handspike is similar to the railway jack used for lifting railway rails.
