INTRODUCTION 



The U. S. Navy has an urgent requirement for improved and expanded 

 anchoring proficiency for conducting salvage operations. A serious 

 disadvantage with conventional anchors such as the EELLS , now used as 

 the U. S. Navy Standard salvage anchor, is that in hard seafloors they 

 hold only if they wedge in a crevice or snag on an outcropping. Also, 

 large amounts of beach gear are associated with their use and much time 

 often is required to pull and set them. Changes in direction of pull 

 and uplift loads reduce their capacities. 



The U. S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage is sponsoring a program being 

 conducted by the U. S. Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory to develop a 

 new anchor that will alleviate the problems with conventional anchors 

 in salvage work. A propellant actuated anchor, commonly termed 

 "explosive anchor", was designed, fabricated, and tested. It successfully 

 embedded into coral seafloors and attained holding capacities in excess 

 of the working strength of a standard Navy beach gear leg. Also, it 

 demonstrated a potential for service in sand and mud seafloors. However, 

 improvements in the design are necessary to gain the broader range of 

 capabilities necessary to meet acceptable operational standards. 



BACKGROUND 



The critical problem of establishing dependable, firm anchors in 

 coral is the primary basis for the new anchor development program. 

 However, it is desired to incorporate as broad a range of salvage 

 anchoring capabilities into the new anchor as practicable. 



Salvage vessels are employed most of the time on missions other 

 than salvage. Consequently, the special gear and equipment needed for 

 salvage attempts is employed infrequently, requires much stowage space 

 and is expensive to maintain and transport. 



Quick response to a stranding results in better prospects of success 

 and in limiting damage to the stranded ship and its cargo. Once on the 

 scene, fast deployment of anchors and associated gear such as the beach 

 gear legs is vital. Once the anchors are in place, it is of extreme 

 importance that they hold firmly without displacing. 



Conventional anchors require long scopes of line and much chain 

 because the pulling force must be near parallel to the seafloor. 

 Consequently, extra equipment must be carried to effectively place, 

 embed, and utilize the anchors. 



Since conventional anchors are expected to drag somewhat during the 

 setting process, much effort and time often are expended in dragging 

 them excessive distances anticipating that ultimately they will develop 



