[Robert A Cook PE]

Nope.

Those tiles are buckled because the underlying 1/2" thick steel plates covering the MBTS's is itself buckled. If only the tiles were buckled, then you wouldn't see the outlines of the frames inside the MBT's that are still relatively straight.

Each buckle is due to compressive failure due to force from the left (port side) due to the glancing blow from the collision. So the entire bow was forced to the right as the boat recoiled up and to the right when it hit the cliff. The frames are 6" thick (in that area) and are separated from the pressure hull.

BUT - The port side torpedo tubes and all of the MBT3B is directly attached to the pressure hull and the tanks inside the hull.

So driving the torpedo tubes aft (even only 1-2" is enough to put extreme pressure and deformation into the "perfect" cylinder shape you need to withstand crush depth, and nearby shock and explosions.

The torpedo tubes (in particular) because their long thick "stiff" tubes would tend to act like nails being driven back into the pressure on the port side.

[SS Guy]

BUT - The port side torpedo tubes and all of the MBT3B is directly attached to the pressure hull and the tanks inside the hull. Basically true. What you see in the pictures is not the TT outer doors though, these are the "Shutters". A fairing that closes off the outer door aperture to streamline the hull. The shutters aren't necessarily attached to the tubes. When you want to fire you flood and equalize the tube then open the shutters and then the outer door. SS Guy

[Blueflag]

DR. Cook -- I agree with your post. Wasn't trying to minimize the damage at all. Just wanted the other FReepers to realize the outer portion of the boat is not the pressure hull.

Your point about the torp tubes is right on.

Bottom line, I wouldn't want to test-dive that boat after "repairs". ;-)