A stopper device (1) for chain (2) or wire, especially for locking in position an anchor chain, tow wire or mooring wire, wherein the stopper consists of a pair of plates (3, 4) which can be pivoted up from the deck of a ship to be vertically positioned in a locked position relative to the deck, so that the plates (3, 4) form an angle (.alpha.) relative to each other and with a gap (6) between an area of adjacent plate edges (3'; 4') on the pair of plates, wherein the gap is configured to match the thickness (t) of a chain link or a wire, wherein the pivoting movement of each plate is provided with the aid of a jack (7) in cooperation with a link mechanism (8; 9), and wherein the link mechanism (8; 9) in one end position causes a locking of the plate (3; 4) in the vertical position. A first (10) of the links in the link mechanism has an abutment area (11) designed to cooperate with a controllable, reciprocating locking bolt (121) for locking the first link (10) and thus the link mechanism in said one end position.