Performs finite-cell calculations on the one-dimensional spin-1 XY model with transverse anisotropy. Infinite size extrapolation of the results shows strong evidence for a transition at T=0 by increasing the strength of the anisotropy with peculiar scaling properties characteristic of an essential singularity. Thus, this quantum chain, which is a simple truncated version of the quantum formulation of the classical 2d XY model, behaves very similarly to its classical analogue.