vleugelanker

Vleugelanker, literally meaning wing anchor in Dutch, is a term used for a type of ship’s anchor characterized by wing-like flukes extending from a central shank. The wings are designed to increase the anchor’s contact with the seabed, promoting better embedment and resistance to drifting in certain substrates such as mud or sand.

Design and operation often involve a central shank with two protruding flukes or wings. In some variants the wings are fixed, while in others they may pivot to optimize alignment with the seabed during deployment. The geometry of the wings, including their size and angle, influences how easily the anchor can dig in and how securely it holds under load.

Deployment typically involves letting the anchor fall to the seabed and ensuring the wings orient to cut into the substrate. Once embedded, the anchor’s resistance to lateral movement increases, helping to keep the vessel stationary. Holding power depends on seabed type, the scope of anchor chain or rope, and the environmental forces acting on the vessel.

Historical and contemporary context: winged anchors have appeared in various maritime traditions and literature, earning a place among traditional anchor types. They were more common in certain historical periods before the routine adoption of stockless and other modern anchors. Today, vleugelanker is most often seen on historic ships, in museums, or as a collectible, rather than as standard equipment for active maritime operations.

See also: anchor types, wing anchor, Danforth anchor, Admiralty pattern anchor.