Weigh anchor is a nautical term indicating the final preparation of a sea vessel for getting underway. ''Weighing anchor'' literally means raising the

anchor An anchor is a device, normally made of metal, used to secure a vessel to the bed of a body of water to prevent the craft from drifting due to wind or current. The word derives from Latin ', which itself comes from the Greek (). Anch ...

of the vessel from the sea floor and hoisting it up to be stowed on board the vessel. At the moment when the anchor is no longer touching the sea floor, it is ''aweigh.''

Example of use

s narrative is described in part in

DANFS The ''Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships'' (''DANFS'') is the official reference work for the basic facts about ships used by the United States Navy. When the writing project was developed the parameters for this series were designed to ...

as "On 17 January 1945 she ''weighed anchor'' and began a -month cruise to

Kodiak, Alaska Kodiak (Alutiiq language, Alutiiq: ) is the main city and one of seven communities on Kodiak Island in Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska, Kodiak Island Borough, Alaska. All commercial transportation between the island's communities and the outside ...

When not at anchor

When a vessel is not at anchor, but tied to a

pier A pier is a raised structure that rises above a body of water and usually juts out from its shore, typically supported by piling, piles or column, pillars, and provides above-water access to offshore areas. Frequent pier uses include fishing, b ...

or to another anchored vessel, it does not weigh anchor; the captain or master gives the order to "take in lines."

References

* Nautical terminology Ship anchors {{Water-transport-stub