My understanding was that the Danforth anchor was developed and became famous for pulling WW2 landing craft off the shore after landing. They were dropped on the way in and winched the grounded craft out.  I think Ideal (winches) was also part of this.  Any historians out there?  Jim FWIW - my father served on an attack transport that carried these brave (scared!) Marines and the landing craft in the Normandy landing.