3 ms·

http://s3.amazonaws.com/CHINFO/USS+Fitzgerald+and+USS+John+S+McCain+Collision+Reports.pdf http://s3.amazonaws.com/CHINFO/USS+Fitzgerald+and+USS+John+S... The M

http://s3.amazonaws.com/CHINFO/USS+Fitzgerald+and+USS+John+S+McCain+Collision+Reports.pdf http://s3.amazonaws.com/CHINFO/USS+Fitzgerald+and+USS+John+S... The McCain entered the TSS at 20 knots and varied between 20 and 18 knots until the steering problem began. The OOD ordered the vessel slowed to 5 knots but due to confusion on the bridge the orders weren't carried out properly and the vessel was still making 11.8 knots and turning to port at the moment of impact. The Fitzgerald was also traveling through traffic at 20 knots and narrowly passed three vessels at that speed before finally being struck by the Crystal.

zaroth 9y ago
This to me is the under reported fact. Realizing how fast these ships were moving up to and through the moment of impact, while the crew responded hopelessly is extraordinary. Absolutely tragic.
jabl 9y ago
Sounds like some kind of cowboy culture. "Hey, we have this fast and maneuverable ship moving along these lumbering civilians. We can handle it, we're the best of the best!". A bit like those organ donors, err.. motorcycle drivers, that swerve among the traffic at high speed.
eternalban 9y ago
Sure, don't believe your lying eyes. Point out a single scratch that indicates anything other thana 90 degree impact with a stationary vessel.
- moogleii 9y ago
  When a car gets t-boned at an intersection, do you always assume it was stationary? Please point out what aspects of the damage has speedometer-like qualities that your eyes are seeing.
  - eternalban 9y ago
    There will be, by physical necessity, surface damage reflecting the forward motion of the penetrated vessel. http://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170821080742-04-uss-john-s-mccain-collision-0821-exlarge-169.jpg http://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170821080742-04-uss-jo... There is no visile damage indicating that the penetrated vessel was moving forward. The damage is perfectly symmetric, as you can clearly see.
- wnkrshm 9y ago
  If you read the report that is linked above, you can see the relative speeds, headings and impact geometry. The McCain crossed in front of the cargo vessel and was hit in the aft section by the cargo vessel that had a constant speed and heading. You don't stop or turn a cargo vessel as quickly as the McCain can maneuver. You also need to take into account that you don't shove a ship sideways through the water easily - it can't slide as easily as a car can. The majority of the cargo vessel's kinetic energy will go into plastic deformation. It's not a sudden impact, more a crushing and deforming. Edit: I have to revise what I said about the impact, according to the report, sailors close to the impact likened it to an explosion.

zaroth 9y ago

This to me is the under reported fact. Realizing how fast these ships were moving up to and through the moment of impact, while the crew responded hopelessly is extraordinary. Absolutely tragic.

jabl 9y ago

Sounds like some kind of cowboy culture. "Hey, we have this fast and maneuverable ship moving along these lumbering civilians. We can handle it, we're the best of the best!". A bit like those organ donors, err.. motorcycle drivers, that swerve among the traffic at high speed.

eternalban 9y ago

Sure, don't believe your lying eyes. Point out a single scratch that indicates anything other thana 90 degree impact with a stationary vessel.

moogleii 9y ago
When a car gets t-boned at an intersection, do you always assume it was stationary? Please point out what aspects of the damage has speedometer-like qualities that your eyes are seeing.
- eternalban 9y ago
  There will be, by physical necessity, surface damage reflecting the forward motion of the penetrated vessel. http://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170821080742-04-uss-john-s-mccain-collision-0821-exlarge-169.jpg http://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/170821080742-04-uss-jo... There is no visile damage indicating that the penetrated vessel was moving forward. The damage is perfectly symmetric, as you can clearly see.
wnkrshm 9y ago
If you read the report that is linked above, you can see the relative speeds, headings and impact geometry. The McCain crossed in front of the cargo vessel and was hit in the aft section by the cargo vessel that had a constant speed and heading. You don't stop or turn a cargo vessel as quickly as the McCain can maneuver. You also need to take into account that you don't shove a ship sideways through the water easily - it can't slide as easily as a car can. The majority of the cargo vessel's kinetic energy will go into plastic deformation. It's not a sudden impact, more a crushing and deforming. Edit: I have to revise what I said about the impact, according to the report, sailors close to the impact likened it to an explosion.