LAYING OUT THE CHAIN
The brake is tightened and eased as necessary to control the chain as the ship moves slowly astern, laying the chain evenly over the bottom rather than in a pile that could foul the anchor or damage the gear as the ship falls back, until the chain is brought up tight against the anchor with a heavy strain.
The mate on the bow must keep the bridge informed of the lead and weight on the chain at this point. The mate is the master's eyes as he maneuvers to move the ship slowly astern at the best speed and heading, keeping a light strain on the chain at all times so it is laid along the bottom clear of the stem and bow. The mate notifies the bridge as soon as the ordered length of chain is out so the engine can be put ahead to reduce sternway. Tighten the brake enough to check the chain and control it but don't set the brake so tight that the chain is held and the anchor flukes dig in prematurely. When the flukes dig in too soon, before the shank is nearly parallel to the bottom, the anchor may break free again so balled with mud that it can't dig in when the full scope of chain is out. This is less of a problem when the anchor is intentionally dragged, because it is less likely to have dug in so fully that it comes free with mud and rock jammed between the flukes and shank.
Keep in mind that it is movement over the bottom that's important when letting go, not speed through the water. When drifting with a strong current from ahead, the ship will have sternway over the bottom to layout the chain when the quickwater reaches amidships, since she would then be moving over the bottom at the speed of the current.
The apparent motion of ships at anchor relative to background references afloat and ashore is the best indication of ship's movement once the ship starts moving astern. The quickwater forward of midships only tells you the ship has sternway, while the Doppler log often becomes useless once the quickwater moves up under the hull. Watch the movement of vessels and objects against the shoreline and move the ship slowly astern over the bottom.
