It still gives me nightmares and I always pray for these sailors in their horrible slow death, just as I pray for the poor people entombed under the WTC, who also took weeks to die.
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In some mysterious fashion it could be merciful to die a slow painful death, though my natural person wishes it on no one nor wish it for myself.
The reason is that it can help one stop to reflect on how long eternity really is and how awful it will be to spend an eternity of torment in hell. For many a slow painful death may be the only thing in their lifetime that will get their attention and hopefully it will lead to a complete and perfect contrition for their sins, and produce the fruit of a longing for God and heaven which they had never dreamed was possible.
What? I never knew that! Wow! SOURCE?