Posted by Scott McWilliam on June 16, 1999 at 18:57:29:
In Reply to: Re: underwater sink rate posted by randy johnson on April 18, 1999 at 11:05:16:
Six to Seven minutes is a good number, it is of course speculative but an interesting hydrodynamics problem and of course the the bow and the stern may have hit at slightly different times. Also there would have been an expodential increse in the sink rate as the vessel lost bouancy provided by entrapped gas. So it would likely have started down slow and then reached a maximum negitive bouancy within the first couple of hundred feet and the reached a maximum sink rate baised on a negitive baouancy vs. resistance in the fist 1000 or so feet.
: The descent is largely speculative. There are simply too many variables. Depending on how quickly the speed attained in its final plunge it could have taken about 6 minutes for it to have hit bottom and several hours for other materials to have settled. This information comes from Discovery of the Titanic by Dr. Ballard. page 206
: : We have a discussion going here at the fire station and need assistance.
: : Can anyone tell us how long it took the Titanic to travel from the surface to the ocean floor?
: : Is there a standard underwater sink rate?
: : Any help would be appreciated.
: : Thank You
: : Cowman
: : Fire Station 14
: : Tulsa Oklahoma