Could a linercruise ship actually be capsized by a rouge wave

[David G. Brown]

I've watched a lot of waves pass under the keel and at my advanced age I no longer believe in so-called "rogue" waves. The term implies some strange phenomenon unseen in nature except this once. What lubbers call "rogues" are really quite natural and normal occurrences resulting from the interaction of wave energy moving through water. Nothing strange about them, except if you're a human being who believes that the world is orderly, predictable, and safe. For the rest of us, so-called "rogue waves" are really normal--if not desirable--events in nature much like lightning and hurricanes. Let's face it, the world does not always run for human benefit or human desire.

-- David G. Brown

 

[Samuel Halpern]

Jeremy, you are right about tidal waves, tsunamis, not visible in deep ocean waters. A great site dealing with tsunamis that also show some nice animations is here: http://www.geophys.washington.edu/tsunami/general/physics/physics.html.

David, you said that rogue waves are natural and normal occurrences. I tend to agree, but I also think the insurance companies would strongly disagree with you. They most likely would like to classify them as "Acts of God."

 

[Michael H. Standart]

>>They most likely would like to classify them as "Acts of God."<<

And sailors would classify them as acts of the...errrr..."Loyal Opposition!"

 

[João Carlos Pereira Martins]

Hey, David, thanks a bunch! I can remember now. I heard that some of Regina's crew bodies came ashore with another ship's life vests put on. Apparently, this vessel was trying to assist Regina, but I suppose nobody has yet discovered which ship it was. Perhaps it sank that night too. Have you got any further information about this?

Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
João

 

[David G. Brown]

Answers to Sam and Joao--

Sam, you are right about insurance companies. And, I'll bet they would rather a total and mysterious disappearance than a partial catastrophe with lots of injured people.

From the standpoint of any sailors chances of ever encountering a "rogue wave," I would say pretty damned good. However, most of these waves are just bigger than usual and not monster killer waves. Off South Bass Island I know a spot where the reflected energy of waves crashing against the cliffs can come back contrary to the lake waves. When they are 180 degrees out of phase, smooth sailing. When the get in phase, however, you can have a 20-foot trough to crest distance in a sea that's running only 4 to 6 feet. (Don't do the math Sam, it does not compute on a two-wave system. I think there must be multiple wave trains involved. But, the waves don't know about adding waves, etc.)

As to the other ship mentioned by Joao, that was the Charles S. Price. Contact me directly through this forum and I'll fill in the details.

-- David G. Brown

 

[Samuel Halpern]

quote:

(Don't do the math Sam,...

Don't worry Dave, I've been doing enough number crunching on certain navigational matters these days related to a bunch of rogue icebergs that traveled too far south in 1912.

 

[Michael H. Standart]

You don't even need so-called Rogue Waves to get into trouble. Any of the workaday monsters can make for a very bad day as a ferry found out off the coast of Brittany on the 19th. See http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070519/wl_afp/franceaccidentsea for the details. Fortunately the two people who were washed overboard were recovered alive. There are way too many who can't make the same claim.

 

[Roy Kristiansen]

There was also that nasty incident involving the Queen Mary in the 40s.

RMS Queen Mary - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org