Capstan

n.
  1. A vertical cleated drum or cylinder, revolving on an upright spindle, and surmounted by a drumhead with sockets for bars or levers. It is much used, especially on shipboard, for moving or raising heavy weights or exerting great power by traction upon a rope or cable, passing around the drum. It is operated either by steam power or by a number of men walking around the capstan, each pushing on the end of a lever fixed in its socket.
    2. Capstan bar ,
    one of the long bars or levers by which the capstan is worked; a handspike..
    To pawl the capstan ,
    to drop the pawls so that they will catch in the notches of the pawl ring, and prevent the capstan from turning back.
    To rig the capstan ,
    to prepare the for use, by putting the bars in the sockets.
    To surge the capstan ,
    to slack the tension of the rope or cable wound around it.