Posted on 03/27/2010 10:28:53 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Experts speculate on largely three possible causes for the explosion of the 1,200-ton patrol ship Cheonan on Friday -- an explosion within the ship due to internal defects or malfunctioning, accidental collision with a reef or other objects, or an attack from an outside force. The possibility of an internal cause such as an explosion of parts near the rear bottom of the vessel where the explosion ripped a hole appears to be very low, according to an expert.
"Personally, I think the possibility of an internal defect or malfunctioning is very low," Kim Tae-woo, vice president of Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, told The Korea Herald.
"I have never heard of any navy vessel explode by itself so far, although it is too early to make presumptions when the government is still looking into possible causes."
Should it be an internal explosion, former crewmembers of the Cheonan have reportedly raised the possibility of mishandling of antisubmarine bombs or other explosives that are kept in the rear end of the vessel.
The ship was carrying gunpowder and explosives, so a collision with an outside object could easily have caused an explosion.
But observers do not put much weight on the likelihood of a collision with a rock as the South Korean navy is largely familiar with the geographical features of the area where it often engages in training or patrol activities.
That leaves the possibility of the ship hitting on some other object including floating or submarine mines that may have drifted from up north or being attacked by an outside force, most likely to be North Korean torpedoes. A submarine mine sticks on the bottom of a ship like a magnet when a vessel passes above it.
(Excerpt) Read more at koreaherald.co.kr ...
It sounds like this could be another USS Maine situation, however this time the countires involved have nukes.
Center fuel tank explosion. Just like TWA 800.
I agree
“Iceberg, dead ahead!”
Remember the Maine?
The “Maine” explosion was proved to be an internal explosion.In 1976, Admiral Hyman G. Rickover published his book, How the Battleship Maine Was Destroyed. He concluded (and his experts)experts concluded that the damage caused to the ship was inconsistent with the external explosion of a mine. This explosion was caused by something outside: a torpedo or
Rememebr Faux Pas.
In very old times, certain cargo was marked “Ship High In Transit” in order to avoid a disabling accidental explosion. Apparently that could still be a problem?
Precisely.
The belated truth didn’t stop a war, did it?
But we won.
They were about 4 miles from the Line of Demarcation in an area that S Korea, not N Korea has mined with anti-ship, sea floor anchored magnetic mines. My theory is that one of S Korea's own mines may have accidently released, surfaced, found the ship and exploded.
Torpedo, nope, too dark, no N Korea naval ships on radar for many miles, damage too extreme.
The other possibility is mishandling of onboard ordnance.
The ship and detached stern will be floated and dry-docked. N Korean involvement is discounted.
22 posted on Saturday, March 27, 2010 10:08:31 AM by gandalftb
Yeah. That one. Of course, Spain didn’t have a nuke or two. And look where Cuber is now...
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