Fouled anchor insignia, Why?

[Bluehawk]

Forgive ignorant question please:

 

We see the fouled anchor on seafaring military insignia.

 

> Why, should it have to be a fouled anchor?

 

> When and why did this get started?

 

 

(Yes, I did look it up. Cannot decipher an answer)

[TreasureHunter]

"The fouled anchor has long been the symbol of the Chief Petty Officer. In terms of the Chief, the fouled anchor symbolizes the trials and tribulations that every Chief Petty Officer must endure on a daily basis. Attached to the Anchor is a length of chain and the letters U.S.N."

[Bluehawk]

It is a universal tribute of sorts to the CPO, then, when worn by enlisted or officers.

 

It also appears on the insignia of other national military seafarers, I believe.

[vonmoen]

Here's some info:

 

http://fouledanchor.org/

[Salvage Sailor]

Let's go to the source......

 

From the Bureau of Naval Personnel (BUPERS)

 

FOULED ANCHOR--The foul anchor as a naval insignia got its start as the seal of the Lord Howard of Effingham. He was the Lord Admiral of England at the time of the defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588. During this period the personal seal of a great officer of state was adopted as the seal of his office. The fouled anchor still remains the official seal of the Lord High Admiral of Great Britain. When this office became part of the present Board of Admiralty, the seal was retained--on buttons, official seals, and cap badges. The Navy's adoption of this symbol and many other customs can be directly attributed to the influence of British Naval tradition. The fouled anchor is among them.

[Bluehawk]

Thanks to all...

 

In summary (?) then, to have a fouled anchor is not a good thing.

 

The CPO (or equivalent in another Navy), would be the person most likely called upon to unfoul the anchor.

 

Therefore, such service is highly esteemed by all who go to sea in military vessels.

 

Therefore, to recognize such service universally on many Naval insignia is a tribute all who do so readily understand and wear proudly.

 

(Almost correct?)

[Salvage Sailor]

Thanks to all...

 

In summary (?) then, to have a fouled anchor is not a good thing.

 

The CPO (or equivalent in another Navy), would be the person most likely called upon to unfoul the anchor.

 

Therefore, such service is highly esteemed by all who go to sea in military vessels.

 

Therefore, to recognize such service universally on many Naval insignia is a tribute all who do so readily understand and wear proudly.

 

(Almost correct?)

 

Aye Bluehawk

[MastersMate]

Just to throw a slight curve ball into the works..

 

The proper nautical usage would be a FOUL ANCHOR ( things being either fair or foul). The chain or cable tangled around the anchor causes the anchor to become fouled.

 

A scan through the US Navy and US Revenue Cutter Service uniform reg from the mid 1800s describe the insignia as a foul anchor. It appears that sometime between 1980 and 1991 the term, as used in uniform regulations to describe the insignia changed from FOUL anchor to FOULED ANCHOR.

 

Now there's a mystery to dig into..

[Bluehawk]

Amazing, thank you!