Anchor Ripped From Navy Carrier Nearly Wipes Out Crew

US Navy

Anchors Away.

Launched in 1973 the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) has a length of 820 feet, a beam 106 feet tall and has room for over 2000 troops so it is safe to say that it is a massive ship. Cruising at a speed of 24 knots, weighing almost 39,000 tons it takes an anchor weighing 20 tons and a chain weighing 6 tons per shot to stop the ship from moving.

“The Tarawa class is designed to operate independently or as a unit of a force, as a flagship or individual ship unit in both air and/or surface assaults, these ships are key elements of the amphibious assault forces for the Navy. They incorporate the best design features and capabilities of several amphibious assault ships currently in service: the Amphibious Assault Ship (LPH), Amphibious Transport Dock (LPD), Amphibious Cargo Ship (LKA), and Dock Landing Ship (LSD).”

The crew of the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) is seen here dropping an enormous anchor as it reaches deeper fathoms. See how things get dangerously out of hand as the mechanisms break and lose control of the anchor.