Horgony

Horgony is the Hungarian term for an anchor, a device used to moor vessels to the seabed and prevent drift from wind, waves, and currents. An anchor typically consists of a shank and one or more flukes that dig into the substrate, sometimes aided by a stock that helps orient the flukes.

There are several designs. Stockless anchors are common on modern ships; plow, Danforth, and claw types are used on different vessels. The choice depends on seabed conditions, vessel size, and handling needs, including ease of deployment and retrieval.

Anchors are usually made of forged steel or cast iron, with protective coatings to resist corrosion. They are connected to a rode, typically a chain or synthetic line, which transmits load to the vessel and determines the scope—the ratio of rode length to water depth.

History: anchors have been used since ancient times, evolving from stones and simple weights to metal devices. The stockless design, developed in the 19th century, improved handling aboard ships and became widely adopted in commercial maritime practice.

In Hungarian nautical terminology, horgony is a fundamental tool for securing ships in harbors, rivers, and open water. The term is widely used in maritime literature and everyday language related to seafaring.