As an old Naval Aviator with over 3000 traps, I know a bit about the arresting gear.
Below decks there are two massive wheel like devices onto each is wound many feet of cable, they have hydraulic brakes . These cables are routed topsides through pulleys and fair leads and terminate at a quick release unions that the actual arresting cable is strung across the deck (Cross deck Pendants.
These are Pendants are made of 1 inch (25 mm), 1-1/4 (32 mm) inch or 1-3/8 inch (35mm) diameter wire rope. Each wire rope is made up of numerous strands twisted about an oiled hemp center core, which provides a “cushion” for each strand and also supplies cable lubrication.
When a landing aircraft engages a deck pendant, the force of the forward motion of the landing aircraft is transferred to a purchase cable which is routed via sheaves to the arresting engine, located in a machinery room below the flight deck .
As the deck pendant and the purchase cable are pulled out by the aircraft being arrested, the kinetic energy of the aircraft is transferred to mechanical energy of the cables, and the arresting engine transfers the mechanical energy of the cables to hydraulic energy. The arresting engine brings about a smooth, controlled stop of the landing aircraft.
Most failures are to the cross deck pendants which are designed to be replaced relatively quickly
The designers of such a system must have been just brilliant.
BTW.. other reports coming in state he missed the cables all together and wasn’t prepared a “Bolter”( a go around)