anchor
An anchor grips the seabed and helps keep a vessel from drifting. This topic is part of Nautical within Everyday Life. This page currently draws on 27 supporting questions, with answers and bonus facts available below.
anchor trivia questions
What is the main purpose of an anchor on a boat or ship?
Answer: To hold it in place
Bonus fact: An anchor grips the seabed and helps keep a vessel from drifting.
What are the pointed parts of many anchors that dig into the seabed called?
Answer: Flukes
Bonus fact: The flukes are designed to penetrate or grip the bottom.
In anchoring, what does the nautical term “scope” describe?
Answer: The ratio of rode length to water depth
Bonus fact: Adequate scope helps an anchor pull more horizontally and hold more securely.
A harbor is a sheltered place where what can anchor or dock?
Answer: Ships
Bonus fact: Harbors protect vessels from rough open water.
What protected water area in a port allows ships to anchor or dock?
Answer: Harbor
Bonus fact: Ports are often built in harbors.
What structure anchors kelp to rocks?
Answer: Holdfast
Bonus fact: A holdfast grips the substrate but does not absorb nutrients like roots.
What structure anchors the main cables of a suspension bridge?
Answer: Massive anchorages
Bonus fact: Anchorages resist enormous cable tension.
What famous square anchors the French Quarter near the Mississippi River?
Answer: Jackson Square
Bonus fact: Jackson Square faces St. Louis Cathedral.
An anchor chain connects a ship to what?
Answer: Anchor
Bonus fact: The chain transfers holding force from vessel to anchor.
Why does heavy anchor chain help an anchor hold?
Answer: Its weight keeps the pull more horizontal
Bonus fact: A low pull angle helps the anchor dig into the seabed.
What nautical term describes the length of anchor line or chain paid out relative to water depth?
Answer: Scope
Bonus fact: More scope generally improves holding power.
What does a news anchor do?
Answer: Presents and links news stories
Bonus fact: Anchors introduce reports and guide the newscast.