Anchor Man

RICHARD S. DANFORTH'S INVENTION IS FAMOUS THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

A SMALL BOY navigating the waters of Boothbay Harbor with a skiff powered by an ash breeze, a homemade sail, and an idea, has become the inventor of one of the world's finest anchors. Richard S. Danforth '08, Thayer School '09, is the manufacturer of a unique type of anchor, ranging in weight from 15 pounds to 10 tons, which has demonstrated an astounding holding ability in proportion to its weight.

The Pan American Pacific Clipper, caught in Oriental waters at the outbreak -of the war, made a 24,686 mile flight from Aukland, New Zealand, to La Guardia Field, and the only anchor carried by this giant flying boat with a 152-foot wingspread was a 30-pound Danforth. One of time, said "That thing can't be an anchor —it wouldn't even hold a rowboat!" But it did hold, even in soupy mud. A 3g-foot Chesapeake sharpie, with high side and plenty of rigging for the wind to grab, rode out a three-day gale which occasionally reached a velocity of 50 or 60 miles per hour, on another 30-pounder.

Another unusual feature of the Danforth anchor is that it is self-burying—the harder the pull the deeper it digs. It is so simply designed that it doesn't foul; it stows flat on the deck or in the hawse pipes; it doesn't have to be folded and unfolded; and it is built of husky alloy steel. The Danforth anchor has been tested repeatedly lately by the Navy, the Bureau of Aeronautics, Pan American Airways and other authorities, and is used on many U. S. war craft.

Mr. Danforth acquired his knowledge of sailing on the waters surrounding Squirrel Island, Maine. Later, studying engineering at Dartmouth, he obtained the technical knowledge necessary for the invention he has become distinguished for. He is now a resident of Berkeley, California.