Multiple Collisions with the Iceberg

The Titanic's damage was not caused by a single impact with the iceberg. At least six repeated collisions occurred because the ship was actually sucked into the iceberg due to a phenomenon called "bank suction". This occurs when a large ship passes close to another object, such as a dock, a ship or an iceberg.

 

 

The speed of a ship moving past an object creates an imbalance in water pressure. The water pressure between the ship and object is lower than the the pressure on the outside of the ship and the ship is then pulled toward the object.

 

Fact: While heading out to sea, the Titanic came too close to the New York, a ship tied to a nearby dock. The New York broke its mooring lines and was pulled towards the Titanic, but the two never collided.