From the very beginning of shipbuilding, the anchor has been an integral part of every vessel. And if in ancient times, when the ships were not too large, a huge stone was used instead of an anchor, now it is a separate structure. Regardless of what exactly and when was used, the purpose of this element is the same - to keep the vessel in one place so that it is not carried away by the wind, current, high tide or low tide. What is the reason that a relatively small anchor, which has a weight much less than the vessel itself, is able to hold it.
The so-called holding force is the force carried by the anchor in the ground. Its ratio to the anchor mass is called the holding force coefficient.
As for the directly described force, it is determined by two factors: the force created by the anchor, which is in the ground, and the chain from the anchor, which is on the seabed. The second factor is more significant than the first. The anchor will not be able to fully fulfill its function if it is lowered strictly vertically. To make it work, you also need a very heavy chain lying at the bottom. Its length often reaches tens of meters. Three components make it possible to hold the ship at the required point: the anchor hook, the weight of the anchor itself and the chain.
It should also be understood that the anchor does not need to hold the mass of the ship. The weight is fully compensated by the well-known strength of Archimedes. As a result, this restraining element must be resisted exclusively by the force that carries the vessel (current, wind, etc.).
To calculate the weight of the anchor, as well as its dimensions, take into account the dimensions of the vessel itself, as well as its tonnage. The heaviest of all anchors can weigh forty tons.
Over time, the ships acquired larger sizes, therefore, the anchors began to be made heavier along with the chain. To raise this element, a special mechanism is also required - a spire with a windlass, having a different shaft placement. Modern anchors are lifted using electric motors or hydraulic mechanisms.
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Sometimes the brakes fail, which leads to the loss of anchor and purpose, and here it is already good that everyone survived. The length of the anchor chain is counted in bows, each of which is equal to 25 or 27.5 m. In general, the number of bows is from five to twelve. The links, called Kenters, act as connecting elements, and in order to see them, they are marked with paint. It is by these elements that the part of the anchor chain that is lowered into the water is determined.
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The length of the chain can be impressive - up to two hundred meters, or even more. In 1959 g. the Soviet research ship "Vityaz" set a record that was never broken by anyone. According to him, the depth of the parking lot was 9,600 m. But then not a chain was used, but a special cable. At the very top, its thickness was twenty-five millimeters, and below it was fourteen. The cable was made thicker on top, as it was necessary to withstand a large mass.
Continuing the topic, read, where did the expression "Rats flee from the ship" come from.
A source: https://novate.ru/blogs/200920/56089/