Key Points
Sound Origins
- Survivors reported loud “explosions” as Titanic sank. The new theory suggests these sounds were due to the implosion of hot, sealed boilers, rather than external pressure or boiler explosions.
Boiler Design and Implosion
- Titanic’s double-ended “Scotch” boilers were still hot when flooded by seawater. As they cooled, internal steam condensed, creating a vacuum. This implosion could buckle boiler ends inward, producing sounds similar to explosions.
Evidence from Boiler Room 2
- Unlike other parts of Titanic, boilers in Room 2 show damage indicative of inward buckling, supporting the implosion hypothesis. Conversely, Room 1 boilers, which had broken free and were cold, remained undamaged.
Modern Demonstration
- The theory is supported by a modern demonstration showing that vacuum pressure can crush a sealed steam-cleaned tanker, producing a dramatic and loud implosion.
Psychological Impact
- While these implosions didn’t affect Titanic’s sinking mechanics, they contributed to the harrowing experience, as survivors misinterpreted the sounds, reinforcing myths about explosions.
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