Wilcox Crittenden Stockless Anchor

[jdflynn]

I'm trying to identify the approximate age of this WC stockless "Navy" anchor. Pretty sure I know one end of the range. I've seen these anchors cast with the usual WC logo, but no others with "WC & Co." and "Pat July 16 1912."

Also, anyone know where I can find an online copy of WC's 1947 book, "A Century of Dependability: a story of 100 years of hardware manufacturing"?

IMG_0998 (1).jpgIMG_0997 (1).jpg

[jdflynn]

I'm also looking for a 1939 or earlier 5-10lb. Herreshoff anchor if anyone knows where to find one.

[woodpile]

WC made very nice quality hardware in Middletown, Ct. Have a vintage 18' Whaler with their hardware on it, haws pipes, cleats and bow lights, all cast aluminum, all irreplaceable unless you find them used.

[Thad Van Gilder]

I'm also looking for a 1939 or earlier 5-10lb. Herreshoff anchor if anyone knows where to find one.

Jim Reineck makes a great, very accurate reproduction.

http://www.bronzeblocks.com/pdf/maincatalog.pdf

[Torna]

Well, I have this on page 27 of a 1949 WC Catalog
WC Navy Anchors.jpg
-Leif

[jdflynn]

Jim Reineck makes a great, very accurate reproduction.

http://www.bronzeblocks.com/pdf/maincatalog.pdf

You're not kidding. The 7.5 pounder is a perfect size as well.

[jdflynn]

Well, I have this on page 27 of a 1949 WC Catalog
WC Navy Anchors.jpg
-Leif

Interesting. This is the fourth or fifth variation in markings I've seen. Here's another:

IMG_1026.jpg

I wonder how late in time WC made these. With the rise of the Danforth in the early '40s (and its 1930s predecessors), I assume demand for these navy-style anchors declined, although they're a decent deadweight and big boats still use them.

[Toxophilite]

Slight derail
Where can one find a small fisherman/yachtsman/herreschoff/kedge style anchor (Sub 10 lbs) without paying an arm and a leg?...or half the price of my boat!. Certainly doesn't need to be bronze though those are beautiful.

[Thad Van Gilder]

I see them in used sailboat part shops all the time!

[Toxophilite]

I see them in used sailboat part shops all the time!

Yes you're kind of on the east coast right. Lot's of marine history there! I am deeply envious. Not as much here on the West coast of Canada and any little fisherman anchors end up being sold for ridiculous prices as nautical decor, kind of like worn out old oars.

[Peerie Maa]

You would be better tying a 56lb scale weight to your anchor rode than using that stockless anchor.

[Peerie Maa]

Slight derail
Where can one find a small fisherman/yachtsman/herreschoff/kedge style anchor (Sub 10 lbs) without paying an arm and a leg?...or half the price of my boat!. Certainly doesn't need to be bronze though those are beautiful.

Get your local fab shop to make one to this pattern:

I have remade a homemade anchor to this pattern, it works well. Anchors are geosims, so if you want to go bigger or smaller, just multiply all dimensions by the same factor.
Attachment 54959

Stainless if you can, or mild steel, hot dip galvanized.

[jdflynn]

You would be better tying a 56lb scale weight to your anchor rode than using that stockless anchor.

Or a cinder block. The stockless will be fine for quick deploy and retrieve situations in my 1939 12’ dinghy, but I would not rely on it to hold in wind or current. Still looking for a primary anchor. A ‘30s or earlier Herreshoff or pre-Danforth would do.

[michigangeorge]

I once owned a 31' Bertram with a 12-13lb bronze Navy anchor and was absolutely amazed at how well that little thing held in all types of bottoms. Never stumbled across another for use on subsequent boats but wish I had.

[jdflynn]

I once owned a 31' Bertram with a 12-13lb bronze Navy anchor and was absolutely amazed at how well that little thing held in all types of bottoms. Never stumbled across another for use on subsequent boats but wish I had.

I haven’t seen any bronze Navy anchors, but galvanized WC, Roloff, and other navy anchors are fairly common. Here a 30-pounder:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26570106374...mis&media=COPY

[jdflynn]

Yes you're kind of on the east coast right. Lot's of marine history there! I am deeply envious. Not as much here on the West coast of Canada and any little fisherman anchors end up being sold for ridiculous prices as nautical decor, kind of like worn out old oars.

More people, with more stuff, and for better and worse, a long history of industry. Most of what I find here on the East Coast is priced for the nautical decor market. I found the WC anchor (at top) in San Antonio, TX. It's not surprising, as by the 1880s WC was the largest marine hardware manufacturer in the US. Lots of history in PNW too, and some great work happening now. I'm looking forward to flying out for the PTWBF in September.

[jdflynn]

Aside, here's the 1941 patent for the Danforth:

https://patentimages.storage.googlea.../US2249546.pdf

[Peerie Maa]

I haven’t seen any bronze Navy anchors, but galvanized WC, Roloff, and other navy anchors are fairly common. Here a 30-pounder:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/26570106374...mis&media=COPY

Those anchors were primarily designed to stow in a ship's hawse pipe. The holding power relied on the length of chain on the bottom that they helped lay out.
If the tide turned and they tripped, there was no guarantee that they would reset.

May I recommend The Compleat Cruiser. pp165 to 7 and p345?

[jdflynn]

Those anchors were primarily designed to stow in a ship's hawse pipe. The holding power relied on the length of chain on the bottom that they helped lay out.
If the tide turned and they tripped, there was no guarantee that they would reset.

May I recommend The Compleat Cruiser. pp165 to 7 and p345?

“To the bottom I pitch it!”

[timber_cruiser]

I have a WC 15 lb Navy anchor that serves as my quick set anchor for a lunch stop or whatever. It has always held well for me with our Caledonia Yawl and it is quick and easy to deploy. I clip this into my main mast step.

IMG_0908.jpg

[Peerie Maa]

^ So is this.
DSC03777.jpg

It holds well in our tidal currents when fishing.

[John hartmann]

I used Nick’s drawing to make a pattern which was cast into this several years back. It served well on an Ilur, and is now the spare/stern anchor for Umami. The bottom image was an impromptu comparison to a Rocna to see how quickly and effectively the fisherman would set. I wound up adding a boat length of chain once the anchor started seeing regular use, and I sharpened the edges of the palms to aid setting in hard packed sand and heavy weeds. A very satisfying wintertime project.
ED35012A-6E3A-46B0-BB5A-29C75B00F231.jpg
1474F147-4B66-4401-A80E-AFAB339528B2.jpg

[Thad Van Gilder]

I used Nick’s drawing to make a pattern which was cast into this several years back. It served well on an Ilur, and is now the spare/stern anchor for Umami. The bottom image was an impromptu comparison to a Rocna to see how quickly and effectively the fisherman would set. I wound up adding a boat length of chain once the anchor started seeing regular use, and I sharpened the edges of the palms to aid setting in hard packed sand and heavy weeds. A very satisfying wintertime project.
ED35012A-6E3A-46B0-BB5A-29C75B00F231.jpg
1474F147-4B66-4401-A80E-AFAB339528B2.jpg

I love that idea... what alloy did you use? manganese bronze? You got me thinking of casting a 5 pounder for my dinghy...

[John hartmann]

The alloy for that anchor is silicon bronze, roughly 95% copper, 4&1/2% silicon, and the remaining 1/2% manganese and other trace metals. The anchor itself weighs about 16 pounds, with the chain adding another ten or twelve.

[Dave Hadfield]

All anchors hold in firm wet sand. That's not really a good test.

Heavy weed, rocks, mud, clay...

[Peerie Maa]

I used Nick’s drawing to make a pattern which was cast into this several years back. It served well on an Ilur, and is now the spare/stern anchor for Umami. The bottom image was an impromptu comparison to a Rocna to see how quickly and effectively the fisherman would set. I wound up adding a boat length of chain once the anchor started seeing regular use, and I sharpened the edges of the palms to aid setting in hard packed sand and heavy weeds. A very satisfying wintertime project.
ED35012A-6E3A-46B0-BB5A-29C75B00F231.jpg
1474F147-4B66-4401-A80E-AFAB339528B2.jpg

I am pleased to see that it works so well.
A Bruce, that the Rocna is a knock off, would work much better. No hoop to stop it from burying to its full capability.

[coelcanth]

i have not seen the 100 years book from 1947,
but i have a pretty old Wilcox Crittenden catalog booklet called "Sea Craft Suggestions and Supplies" which features the patented Navy anchor and a long article extolling its virtues.
it's undated, but the W-C authors mention the pond on their property which they draw power from, so i guess it's pretty old !
there's also a section about the Maxim silencers for early gasoline engines, and some customer letters in there date from around 1916.
if you're interested in seeing any particular pages from this catalog, i could look into scanning them.. they do pop up on ebay and the used book websites for not too much money, i think they printed a few different editions over time

i guess it doesn't help with your question of when they stopped making the Navy anchors... maybe never, really ?

[John hartmann]

All anchors hold in firm wet sand. That's not really a good test.

Heavy weed, rocks, mud, clay...

Understood, Dave. It wasn’t a test of holding, more to see how it behaved as it set. I just tossed the anchors side by each, then walked away holding an equal length of rode to see how long it took for the fisherman to roll the stock flat and for the palm to bury. In real world use, both anchors have held securely on a wide variety of bottoms, albeit with a light load, when dinghy cruising in Waxwing.

[jdflynn]

i have not seen the 100 years book from 1947,
but i have a pretty old Wilcox Crittenden catalog booklet called "Sea Craft Suggestions and Supplies" which features the patented Navy anchor and a long article extolling its virtues.
it's undated, but the W-C authors mention the pond on their property which they draw power from, so i guess it's pretty old !
there's also a section about the Maxim silencers for early gasoline engines, and some customer letters in there date from around 1916.
if you're interested in seeing any particular pages from this catalog, i could look into scanning them.. they do pop up on ebay and the used book websites for not too much money, i think they printed a few different editions over time

i guess it doesn't help with your question of when they stopped making the Navy anchors... maybe never, really ?

I appreciate you looking. It would be neat to see it but don’t go to any trouble. I can visit the historical society in Middletown, CT or look through Mystic’s WC collection for more information. It do wonder what they used for their rode, and what virtues they claim the anchor possesses.

[jdflynn]

Jim Reineck makes a great, very accurate reproduction.
http://www.bronzeblocks.com/pdf/maincatalog.pdf

Not as nice as Reineck’s MIT-licensed version, but this German company also makes a small bronze Herreshoff anchor:
https://www.toplicht.de/en/anchoring...-dinghy-anchor

If you do decide to cast one, why not make five? A few here might be interested.

Thanks to folks for posting their examples. Beautiful work.

[Toxophilite]

The price of the German one is more manageable. 1.5kg 3.3lbs.
That would be for a pretty small dinghy.

They also have these which seem reasonably priced
https://www.toplicht.de/en/anchoring...nchor-foldable

What size Herreschoff/yachtsman/fisherman anchor would I need for a 12' 180 lbs wooden dinghy?

I've heard a lbs /foot, or roughly 1.5kg/meter

[Breakaway]

A 3 lb anchor should be fine for a 12 foot boat.


Kevin

[HCR]

Not as nice as Reineck’s MIT-licensed version, but this German company also makes a small bronze Herreshoff anchor:
https://www.toplicht.de/en/anchoring...-dinghy-anchor

If you do decide to cast one, why not make five? A few here might be interested.

Thanks to folks for posting their examples. Beautiful work.

I have one of the German ones and should have sent it back. Way too much play between the parts to make it usable. A sweet little piece of bronze, though.

The Reineck anchor may be MUCH more expensive, but will also be MUCH more usable.

[Toxophilite]

I have one of the German ones and should have sent it back. Way too much play between the parts to make it usable. A sweet little piece of bronze, though.

The Reineck anchor may be MUCH more expensive, but will also be MUCH more usable.

Good to know about the German one. I couldn't afford the Reineck one myself. Lovely but half the price of my boat!!
I will happily have a galvanized anchor.

3 lbs is really enough for a 12' dinghy?

[stromborg]

The references to fisherman style anchor sizing all seem the say something along the lines of "The old rule of thumb is 2 pounds per foot of boat length". The Toplicht link is diminutive! 9"x12"/3.3lbs (240mmmx325mm/1.5kg) I've had small cats that weight a lot more than that.