There was a difference between how some ships were actually being anchored and the description in the book (Shiphandling for the Mariner MacElrevey 4th ed)
This is from page 164 in the chapter on Anchoring"
It’s not the case that the task is as described and it’s not correct that there’s only one way to anchor. There are other ways besides putting the ship on the final heading with the wind ahead.
Keeping the bow of a carship into a strong gusty wind can take a heavy hand on the bowthruster, in some situations it’s often easier and quicker to anchor downwind than fighting the wind. Why not use the anchor to assist?
MacElrevey advised to put up a fight:
When I was mate on anchor watch I observed some ships (bulkers in ballast for example) drift in to the anchorage with the wind abeam and anchor.
A few pages later an updated edition of MacElrevey added this:
I anchored car ships this way few times.
Discussed on this thread Anchoring Downwind and Variations