Capstan

1. A machine for moving or lifting heavy weights (especially in a maritime context, i.e. ships) which consists of a vertical drum that can be rotated (either by steam or man power), around which a cable is turned.
   
   
2. A rotating shaft which is used to drive the moment of tape in a tape recorder, and helps assure that the tape moves at constant speed avoiding audio distortions known as flutter.

Moby Dick

Admiral Nelson, also, on a capstan of gun-metal, stands his mast-head in Trafalgar Square; and even when most obscured by that London smoke, token is yet given that a hidden hero is there; for where there is smoke, must be fire.