Titanic’s centre anchor was at the time and for some time to follow, the world’s largest anchor ever forged by hand. In its overall size the anchor measured an impressive 18ft 6in in length. The cast steel head of the anchor measured 10ft 9in in width and the anchor weighed an incredible 15ton 16cwts. The order for the anchors, both side and centre, were received from Harland & Wolff in late 1910 by the Black Country’s historic forging company, Noah Hingley & Sons Ltd in Netherton, near Dudley, United Kigdom. But not every part of the anchors was to be produced by Hingley’s.
There are more than 3000 employees who worked on the Titanic’s anchor. Managing such a number requires perfect management skills and the ability to hire like-minded staff.
The anchor chain used for the Titanic was made of high-quality steel, specifically designed to withstand the immense forces exerted on it. The chain was exceptionally heavy, with each link weighing hundreds of pounds. It was necessary to use such a robust chain due to the Titanic's enormous size and weight, which required a strong anchor system to secure the ship safely in various ports.
The construction of the anchor chain was a meticulous process, involving skilled craftsmen and specialized machinery. Each link had to be forged and inspected to ensure its integrity. The entire chain was carefully assembled and tested to guarantee its reliability.
On the fateful night of April 14, 1912, when the Titanic struck an iceberg, the anchor chain played a role in the ship's evacuation. The crew attempted to use the chain to drag the ship away from the iceberg and prevent further damage, but the effort proved futile.
