[Alberta's Child]

The most likely scenario that played out in this incident is this:

1. Ship loses power.

2. Pilot tries to steer ship without success; reverses engines in a desperate attempt to stop forward motion (the telltale black smoke billowing from the stack seems to support this).

3. Power comes on briefly. Rudder is turned completely as a result of Item #2.

4. Power goes back off with the rudder stuck in the turned position.

5. Ship strikes bridge pier.

[Paul R.]

The attempt to “back down” (reverse prop) itself torques the ship in the wrong direction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZbUXewlQDk&t=195s 3:20