Loads were applied to the embedded anchor-projectile in one of two 

 ways. One method employed the combined power of the ship plus one or 

 two fleet tugs. The second method involved placing anchors in a spread 

 arrangement, positioning the work platform in between, and applying a 

 load by means of winches or the ship's beach gear. In cases where the 

 projectile did not penetrate enough to develop large holding capacities, 

 it was pulled vertically. 



Floating Work Platforms 



A variety of floating work platforms were used during the tests. 

 These included the NCEL Warping Tug, a yard freighter utility vessel 

 (YFU) 85 feet long and 25 feet wide, with a tracked crane placed 

 onboard and lashed to the deck, and a Yard Freighter Torpedo Recovery 

 vessel. The primary and most important floating work platforms used 

 in the tests were Navy vessels of the ARS, ATF, and ASR classes. 



Instrumentation and Photography 



Holding capacities were measured with a 400,000-pound capacity 

 strain indicator fixed securely to a strong fixture on the vessel by 

 means of 1-5/8 inch wire rope. A carpenter's stopper was used to 

 connect the strain indicator to the beach gear leg prior to beginning 

 the test pull. A continuous trace of the load was obtained by a 

 Baushe and Lomb recorder unit. 



Except when divers could observe the anchor-projectile after 

 firing, penetration was determined indirectly by measuring the exposed 

 length of the down-haul cable after embedment. This method was 

 approximate due to the difficulty of taking accurate measurements from 

 a moving platform. Conditions prevented measuring the penetration 

 in some tests. 



Still and motion photography above and under the water was attempted 

 throughout all testing. "Underwater photography was not possible in the 

 sand and mud tests due to limited visibility. In the clear water 

 areas still and motion pictures before and after firing were obtained 

 with hand-held cameras. 



For photographing the actual firing, a 4-foot by 4-foot by 4-foot 

 metal framework was used to support a pan and tilt unit with both a 

 motion picture and a television camera mounted on it, Figure 14. The 

 explosive anchor was lowered to the seafloor. Divers positioned the 

 metal framework about 25 feet away from the anchor then left the 

 water. A countdown to fire was initiated and the cameras were 

 activated at the appropriate lead time. Most of the discharges were 

 observed through the TV receiver on deck. No worthwhile video tapes 

 and only two shots of the actual firing of the anchor were obtained. 

 The disappointing results were caused by sometimes faulty connections 

 plus the problem of handling long multiple lines from work platforms 

 that were difficult to maintain in position within tolerable limits 

 during preparations for firing the anchor. 



