Hawser
Encyclopedia
Hawser is a nautical term for a thick cable or rope
used in mooring or towing
a ship
. A hawser passes through a hawsehole
, also known as a cat hole, located on the hawse.
Rope
A rope is a length of fibres, twisted or braided together to improve strength for pulling and connecting. It has tensile strength but is too flexible to provide compressive strength...
used in mooring or towing
Towing
Towing is the process of pulling or drawing behind a chain, line, bar or some other form of couplings. Towing is most visibly performed by road vehicles, but anything from waterborne vessels to tractors to people can tow cargo. Troop carrying and cargo carrying gliders were towed behind powered...
a ship
Ship
Since the end of the age of sail a ship has been any large buoyant marine vessel. Ships are generally distinguished from boats based on size and cargo or passenger capacity. Ships are used on lakes, seas, and rivers for a variety of activities, such as the transport of people or goods, fishing,...
. A hawser passes through a hawsehole
Hawsehole
Hawsehole is a nautical term for a small hole in the hull of a ship through which hawsers may be passed. Also known as a cat hole. In the British Navy, an officer who had served as a seaman before being promoted was said to have "come in through the hawsehole."...
, also known as a cat hole, located on the hawse.