The ocean floor pics that show how the Titanic sank

New images show how the exact break-up of the Titanic might now be understood – and whether the ship had a fatal design flaw.

By Susan Daly Friday 9 Mar 2012, 4:52 PM

Mar 9th 2012, 4:52 PM 16,777 Views 25 Comments

http://jrnl.ie/379150

AN EXPEDITION TEAM which scanned the floor of the ocean where the Titanic sunk in 1912 have discovered more information about how the ship sunk to the bottom.

A series of photographs stitched together on a computer have provided a detailed photo mosaic of the debris left by the ship – and of the marks left on the ocean floor by the landing parts of the liner.

An article from Associated Press yesterday explained how the photos showed that “the stern rotated like a helicopter blade as the ship sank, rather than plunging down”. This is the first time that the extensive Titanic sinking site has been fully mapped and researchers hope it means that they will discover if there was a major flaw in its design by uncovering how exactly it broke apart and descended to the ocean floor.

We have obtained these photographs from AP today which map the site:

The ocean floor pics that show how the Titanic sank

Previous 1 / 4Next

Titanic Map
This composite image, released by RMS Titanic Inc., and made from sonar and more than 100,000 photos taken in 2010 from by unmanned, underwater robots, shows a portion of a comprehensive map of the 3-by-5-mile debris field surrounding the bow and stern of the Titanic on the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean. The luxury passenger liner sank about 375 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada, after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage from England to New York on April 15, 1912, killing 1,517 people. (AP Photo/RMS Titanic Inc.)
Titanic Map
This image shows the extensive area over which debris from the ship was scattered. (AP Photo/RMS Titanic Inc.)
Titanic Map
This composite image, released by RMS Titanic Inc., and made from sonar and more than 100,000 photos taken in 2010 from by unmanned, underwater robots, shows a small portion of a comprehensive map of the 3-by-5-mile debris field surrounding the bow of the Titanic on the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean. The luxury passenger liner sank about 375 miles south of Newfoundland, Canada, after striking an iceberg on its maiden voyage from England to New York on April 15, 1912, killing more than 1,500 people. (AP Photo/RMS Titanic Inc.)
Titanic Map
This composite image shows zig-zag marks on the ocean floor which indicate how the debris settled as if the ship had spun down through the water rather than descending in a straight line as was previously thought. (AP Photo/RMS Titanic Inc.)

Researchers finish first complete map of Titanic debris site>
Archives show human tragedy and truth behind Titanic sinking>
Letter in a bottle from Irish Titanic victim goes on display>

Short URL

About the author:

About the author

Susan Daly

susandaly@thejournal.ie

See more articles by Susan Daly

Contribute to this story:

Send a Correction

COMMENTS (25)

∞

About Us

Corrections

Report Content

Policies

TheJournal.ie supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1890 208 080 or email: info@presscouncil.ie

Please note that TheJournal.ie uses cookies to improve your experience and to provide services and advertising. For more information on cookies please refer to our cookies policy.

News images provided by Press Association and Photocall Ireland unless otherwise stated. Irish sport images provided by Inpho Photography unless otherwise stated. Wire service provided by Associated Press.

Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for user created content, posts, comments, submissions or preferences. Users are reminded that they are fully responsible for their own created content and their own posts, comments and submissions and fully and effectively warrant and indemnify Journal Media in relation to such content and their ability to make such content, posts, comments and submissions available. Journal Media does not control and is not responsible for the content of external websites.

The ocean floor pics that show how the Titanic sank

New images show how the exact break-up of the Titanic might now be understood – and whether the ship had a fatal design flaw.

Titanic Map

Titanic Map

Titanic Map

Titanic Map