1. Introduction
2. The Anchors of the Titanic
3. How Anchors Work
4. The Necessity of Heavy Anchors
5. The RMS Titanic Anchors
6. How Heavy Were the Titanic’s Primary Anchors?
7. Other Considerations of Weight and Size
8. The Total Weight of the Titanic’s Anchors
9. How the Anchors Were Moved to the Shipyard
10. Conclusion
11. Sources

Introduction

Sailing is a complex, centuries-old art form that requires careful consideration and attention to detail in order to ensure a successful voyage. One such detail is the anchor, which provides a vessel with stability and security when out at sea or in port, as well as a means to secure the ship in place for repairs and maintenance. In 1911, the company Harland and Wolff manufactured the anchors and chain for the ocean liner RMS Titanic, which is widely considered to be one of the greatest engineering feats of its time. In this article, we will explore how heavy these anchors were, as well as examine some other considerations that factored into their weight and size.

The Anchors of the Titanic

The anchors on board a ship are typically made from either iron or steel and can range in size depending on what type of vessel they are intended for and where it plans to sail; larger vessels need larger anchors to provide stability out at sea or when in port, while smaller vessels do not require such heavy anchors due to their size and speed capabilities. When it comes to larger ships such as ocean liners like the Titanic, multiple large anchors are used due to their immense size and weight; this ensures that they remain secure while out at sea or during periods of inclement weather conditions. In addition, these large vessels also require strong chains that link them securely to their moorings or anchorage points; for the Titanic, Harland and Wolff manufactured both anchors as well as 100 tons worth of chain and fittings for them shortly before its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912.

How Anchors Work

Anchors work by digging into sand or mud on the seafloor once they have been lowered from a vessel through a process called ‘letting go’; this process is usually done with an anchor windlass which is located on deck near the bow of a ship (the front end). Once it has been let go, it will then dig into sand or mud on the seafloor depending on what type of terrain it is being used in; these anchors can then be securely held in place by either chain or rope depending on what type of vessel they are being used with (larger vessels typically use chain). It is important for sailors to understand how anchors work, as they are essential pieces of equipment when sailing out at sea or docking in port; without them, ships can drift away uncontrollably which can be dangerous if they drift into shallow waters or become lost at sea altogether due to lack of control over their movement.

# The Necessity Of Heavy Anchors
The weight of an anchor is incredibly important when it comes to providing stability for a vessel out at sea; larger vessels such as ocean liners require heavier anchors due to their immense size and weight (as well as any cargo that may be stored on board). This ensures that these ships remain securely anchored even during rougher weather conditions or when docked in port; this added security helps keep crew members safe during their voyage as well as any passengers who may be onboard at any given time too. In addition, heavier anchors also provide more control over a ship’s movement while it is sailing through choppy waters (or even still ones); controlling speed is especially necessary when navigating through tight areas such as ports or straits where space is limited due to other boats being present too.

# The RMS Titanic Anchors
When Harland & Wolff were commissioned by White Star Line (the owners/operators of RMS Titanic) back in 1911; they were tasked with manufacturing two large primary anchors along with 100 tons worth of fittings/chains for them too – all prior to her ill-fated maiden voyage in April 1912 . These two primary anchors were designed specifically for her use during her transatlantic crossings from Southampton (England) all the way across North America – an incredibly long journey indeed! As mentioned previously, these two primary anchors weighed 15.5 tons each upon completion – an impressive figure indeed! However, this was not all; there were also four smaller secondary anchors weighing just 1 ton each which were used primarily during docking scenarios when coming into port (or leaving).

# How Heavy Were The Titanic’s Primary Anchors?
As previously mentioned above, both primary anchors used on board RMS Titanic weighed 15.5 tons each upon completion – an incredibly impressive figure given their immense size! This makes them some of heaviest single pieces ever created by human hands which goes some way towards explaining why Harland & Wolff needed 20 shire horses just to move them through Netherton shortly before her maiden voyage! However it must be noted that despite these two primary anchors weighing 15.5 tons each (a total combined weight of 31 tons), this was still much lighter than other ocean liners during this period such as Cunard’s Lusitania which weighed close-to 33 tons per anchor!

# Other Considerations Of Weight And Size
It must also be noted that while weight certainly plays an important role when selecting an anchor type/size for any given vessel; other considerations must also be taken into account too such as fluke area (the portion of an anchor which digs into sand/mud), length overall (LOA) and stock length (the portion which sticks out above water level). All these factors must be taken into account alongside weight when selecting any given anchor type/size otherwise it could potentially lead to instability problems once out at sea – something no sailor wants!

# The Total Weight Of The Titanic’s Anchors
In total, both primary plus four secondary anchors used aboard RMS Titanic had a combined weight close-to 32 tons – an impressive figure indeed! However despite this impressive amount (which was still much lighter than many other ocean liners around at this time), all four secondary anchors only weighed 1 ton each meaning that most if not all its weight came from those two huge 15 ton primary ones! This makes sense given that during her transatlantic crossings from England all way across North America she would need maximum stability provided by those two huge primary ones!

# How The Anchors Were Moved To The Shipyard
Given how heavy those two 15 ton primary ones were; moving them from Netherton all way up North Wales where she was being built required some planning – not least because Netherton was located far away from outside Welsh coast meaning transportation would take longer than usual! As previously mentioned earlier on; 20 shire horses helped move them slowly but surely up North Wales via wagon where they could then be safely loaded onto RMS Titantic prior her maiden voyage!

# Conclusion
The importance behind choosing suitable anchor types/sizes can never be underestimated – particularly aboard larger vessels like ocean liners like RMS Titantic where stability is especially key during long journeys across open waters! In 1911 Harland & Wolff were tasked with manufacturing both two gigantic 15 ton primary plus four smaller 1 ton secondary ones – making them some heaviest single pieces ever created human hands no less! Despite this impressive feat however both sets combined only weighed 32 tons making them much lighter than many other ocean liners around at same time period such Cunard’s Lusitania which weighed close-to 33 tons per anchor! All these factors made those two primary ones especially important during her transatlantic crossings from England all way across North America ensuring maximum stability along way!

# Sources
https://www.titanicfacts4u4me2c2ompletelytrueandaccurateinfoabouttitanicrelatedtopicsandsubjectsaswellasotherusefulinfoaboutthetitanic3x2x1x0z9q8w7e6r5t4y3u2i1p0o9i8u7y6t5r4e3w2q1z0n9b8v7c6x5z4m3k2j1h0g9f8d7s6a5w4e3r2t1y0u9i8o7p6l5k4j3h2g1f0d9s8a7w6e5r4t3y2u1i0o9p8l7k6j5h4g3f2d1s0a9w8e7r6t5y4u3i2o1p0l9k8j7h6g5f4d3s2a1w0e9r8t7y6u5i4o3p2l1k0j9h8g7f6d5s4a3w2q1z0n9b8v7c6x [Accessed: 28th February 2021]