stockless

Stockless is a type of nautical anchor that lacks a stock, a feature common to many traditional anchors. It consists of a central shank with two large flukes arranged to either side. The design is intended to lie flat on the seabed and be easily stowed in a ship’s hawsepipe or on deck, which makes it particularly suitable for large vessels where handling and storage are important.

In use, the stockless anchor is lowered to the seabed and then set by the weight of the vessel and the pull of the chain or rope. The flukes dig into the bottom, providing holding power as wind and current apply force to the vessel. Because there is no stock to catch or foul, stockless anchors are generally considered easy to handle and quick to deploy or recover, a practical advantage on busy or crowded ships.

Stockless anchors became widely adopted in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as steel manufacturing improved and ships grew larger. They are commonly used on merchant ships, ferries, and other commercial vessels, where reliability and ease of handling are valued. The effectiveness of a stockless anchor depends on factors such as bottom composition (sand, mud, or rocky seabed), anchor weight relative to the vessel, and the scope of the anchor line.

Variations exist in size, weight, and the exact geometry of the flukes, but all share the defining characteristic of having no stock. Materials are typically steel, with protective coatings to resist corrosion in marine environments. In modern fleets, stockless anchors are one of several standard anchor types used to secure ships at rest.