The bitter end of the anchor chain is connected to the aft bulkhead of the chain locker with a removable shackle. A ship's chain locker is, in my informed but not so humble opinion, the nastiest place on a ship. I have crawled through nicer bilges. Not doing that again.
IIRC, one bow anchor, they have two, for a Nimitz-class carrier weighs 60K pounds. They carry twelve shots of chain for each anchor. Each shot of chain is about 20,500 pounds.
Therefore, each anchor and chain weighs 306,000 pounds or 153 short tons.
WWG1WGA
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
“Therefore, each anchor and chain weighs 306,000 pounds or 153 short tons.”
Not something to lose overboard! I would imagine that even with a shackle there would be damage to the bulkhead if the capstan failed and it was running out at full speed. (Yikes! Get out of the way! )
(I will take your word and expert experience regarding the chain locker!)
Goodnight!