IT weighs 13 tonnes and belonged to one of the world’s most famous ships.

Now it has found its final resting place in Southampton.

An anchor from the city’s liner Queen Elizabeth 2 docked at its new home over the weekend.

The object, given to Southampton City Council as a gift from Cunard, was lifted into place by crane yesterday onto the footpath in front of Holy Rood Church in High Street.

The steel anchor, which is 4.3m high and 2.7m wide, is one of two that were hung below the great ship’s bow rail on each side of the ship.

The church, which was dedicated as a memorial to the sailors of the Merchant Navy in 1957, forms part of the QE2 Mile, a pedestrian route of historic sites, such as the Titanic Memorial, that runs through the heart of the city from the Cenotaph down to Town Quay.

The QE2 made her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on May 2, 1969.

After a near 40-year connection with the city, she left Southampton for the final time on November 11, 2008 to become a floating hotel and tourist attraction in Dubai, a scheme who has been postponed because of the economic recession.

The anchor was received more than two years ago by the city council as a joint gift from the Dubai Royal Family and Cunard. It will be formally unveiled later this summer.

Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks said: “QE2 called at her home port of Southampton more times than any other port during her long and illustrious career so it is entirely fitting for there to be such a tribute to her in her home city.

“The anchor and the designated QE2 Mile will ensure that her legacy in Southampton will endure for many years to come.”

Southampton City Council leader Councillor Royston Smith said: “Cunard’s generous gift has finally been given an appropriate home in Southampton.

“Not only will it add an important heritage site to the city, it will also raise the profile of the QE2 Mile and ultimately attract more people to Southampton’s Old Town.”

The council wants to turn Southampton’s Old Town into a vibrant city quarter, which celebrates the city’s medieval heritage.

Another milestone for the Old Town area, a Tudor House and Garden, is set to open on July 30.