Windlass Collection

Fowlers Steam Engine
Fowlers patent engine and windlass for steam-ploughing

A plan for a windlass for steam ploughing
3732431 A plan for a windlass for steam ploughing; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a plan for a windlass for steam ploughing designed in England. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

19th century illustration of a windlass for raising weights. A crank handle turns a shaft carrying a screw which links
5311562 19th century illustration of a windlass for raising weights. A crank handle turns a shaft carrying a screw which links a toothed wheel to a drum

A Windlass patented by Emerson & Walker, 1850
3330534 A Windlass patented by Emerson & Walker, 1850; (add.info.: Illustration of a Windlass patented by Emerson & Walker. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The improved windlass with brakes and controls
3740614 The improved windlass with brakes and controls; (add.info.: Engraving depicting the improved windlass with brakes and controls, designed for steam ploughing by J. Fowler)

A steam ploughing windlass
3732430 A steam ploughing windlass; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a steam ploughing windlass designed to be kept separate from the steam engine. Dated 19th Century.); Universal History Archive/UIG

The Steam windlass, S.S. J.H. Sheadle, between 1906 and 1910. Creator: Unknown
The Steam windlass, S.S. J.H. Sheadle, between 1906 and 1910

Crossbowman. Engraving by Serra (after a 14th century codex)
Crossbowman reloading using windlass. Engraving by Serra (after a codex of the 14th century). Museo Militar, 1883. Later colouration. Date: 2019

Interior of "The Great Britain"Steam-Ship (engraving)
1095365 Interior of " The Great Britain" Steam-Ship (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Interior of " The Great Britain" Steam-Ship)

Calenderer and Hotpresser (engraving)
2801953 Calenderer and Hotpresser (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Calenderer and Hotpresser)

Diagram of a method of supplying water, illustration from De Machinis
XIR177535 Diagram of a method of supplying water, illustration from De Machinis (pen and ink and w/c on paper) by Mariano di Jacopo (detto il Taccola) (1382-c.1453) (after)

Windlass mechanism for cocking crossbow, illustration from Ancient Armour
620152 Windlass mechanism for cocking crossbow, illustration from Ancient Armour, 1860 (litho) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; Peter Newark Pictures; English, out of copyright

The entrance of a street defended by a chain in grooves in posts and raised by a windlass at right. Copperplate engraving from Francis Groses Military Antiquities respecting a History of the English

Hoghton Tower, the Seat of Sir James de Hoghton, Baronet (engraving)
1599079 Hoghton Tower, the Seat of Sir James de Hoghton, Baronet (engraving) by Railton, Herbert (1857-1910) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Hoghton Tower, the Seat of Sir James de Hoghton)

Canal Boat Life in England (engraving)
1053461 Canal Boat Life in England (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Canal Boat Life in England)

The International Exhibition (engraving)
1587755 The International Exhibition (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The International Exhibition)

The hoist (chromolitho)
977721 The hoist (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The hoist. French educational card, late 19th/early 20th century.); © Look and Learn

Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus, 1608/1611. Creator: Albrecht Durer
Martyrdom of Saint Erasmus, 1608/1611

TURNING A WINDLASS
Six men turning a windlass, a mechanical device with a horizontal axis for hauling or hoisting Date: 1803

Apparatus for reducing dislocations, 1544. The subject is placed on a bed with a windlass at either end. Ropes are attached to the area of dislocation and force is applied by turning the windlass

Sectional view of a German mine, 1556
Sectional view of a German mine showing the method of sinking shafts and driving horizontal galleries, 1556. A windlass is used to raise and lower men, materials and spoil

Sectional view of a mine showing shafts and galleries, 1556. At the surface of each shaft is a winch or windlass for raising and lowering loads

Roller Bridge or inclined plane for transferring vessels from one level of waterway to another, 1737. Inclined planes were a cheaper alternative to locks

Two 15Th Century French Crossbowmen, One Firing His Weapon, The Other Loading It With A Windlass, Both Protected By Pavises. From Les Artes Au Moyen Age, Published Paris 1873

Windlass Well
Three people gather water at a windlass well, New York, New York, 1700s. (Kean Collection/Getty Images)

Steam ploughing engines, wood engravings, published 1875
Steam ploughing engines: 1) Steam plough system by James & Frederick Howard in action, 2) Grubber by James & Frederick Howard, 3) Balance Plough by John Fowler (1826 - 1864)

Horse powered windlass
Antique engraving of a horse powered windlass being used in a 19th century mine

Building Tower of Babel: Bible Genesis 11. God coming down to see tower (v5) and deciding to confound universal language (v6) and scatter people over the earth (v7)

Sectional view of German mine showing method of sinking shafts and driving horizontal galleries. Windlass at B, C used to raise and lower men, materials and spoil

Investigating atmospheric electricity in normal cloudy conditions, but not during a thunderstorm. GF: windlass for raising and lowering a kite

A Cornish winze shaft, used for exploration. A man attached to a rope is being lowered down the shaft by a simple windlass. For light the men have nothing more than bare candles stuck in their hats

WINDLASS, 18th CENTURY. A horse-powered windlass bailing out water in a slate quarry, but equally used to hoist stone to ground level. Copper engraving, French, 18th century

Leonardo: repelling of scaling ladders
Scheme devised by Leonardo to repel the storming of ramparts by means of dislodging scaling ladders. In the drawing the outer beam of a horizontal framework slotted through the parapet walls pushes

The Raising of Cleopatras Needle in London, 1878
Engraving showing four scenes during the raising of the Cleopatras Needle, an ancient Egyptian obelisk, on the Victoria Thames Embankment, London, 1878

French Stone Quarry
Horses drag a wagon-load of stone from a French quarry : a massive windlass is used to raise the stone from the workings to the road

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"The Windlass: A Journey Through Time and Innovation" Step into the world of windlasses, where ancient mechanisms intertwine with modern marvels. From Fowlers Steam Engine to the Crossbowman's tool, this caption takes you on a captivating ride through history. Engraved by Serra after a 14th-century codex, witness the skillful craftsmanship of a crossbowman as he operates his weapon using a windlass mechanism. The precision and power behind each shot are awe-inspiring. Venture further into innovation as we explore "The Great Britain" steamship's interior. An engraving that showcases how windlasses played an integral role in propelling this magnificent vessel across vast oceans, revolutionizing travel forever. Delve into the industrial era with images of Calenderers and Hotpressers hard at work. These engravings depict their reliance on windlasses for efficient production processes, highlighting their importance in various industries. Discover De Machinis' ingenious method of supplying water through an intricate diagram. Windlass mechanisms were employed to draw water from wells or reservoirs, providing essential resources for communities throughout history. Ancient Armour reveals yet another application of windlasses - cocking crossbows effortlessly. This illustration demonstrates how these devices made it possible for warriors to unleash deadly projectiles with ease during battles long ago. Witness the strategic defense tactics employed in medieval times as chains guarded street entrances against intruders. The strength and reliability of windlass-operated chains ensured security within city walls. Marvel at Hoghton Tower's grandeur; Sir James de Hoghton's seat stands tall amidst lush landscapes. Windlasses were instrumental in constructing such architectural wonders, lifting heavy materials to create majestic structures like these. Embark on canal boat life in England through evocative engravings capturing daily routines along serene waterways. Here too, windlasses proved indispensable when navigating locks or hauling cargo along these vital transportation routes.