The problem is that we don’t know where on that track the collision actually happened.
If the collision happened at the start of the track (where the Crystal first veered SE), the track could be interpreted as the Crystal turning around to render aid. If the collision happened near the end (where the chronometer shows it came to a sudden stop before fleeing the scene) then it has a much more sinister interpretation.
There are unconfirmed reports that the Fitzgerald was stationary at the time, but without knowing the Fitzgerald’s own track (if any) and its position at the time of collision all we can do is speculate.
Gideon 7;
wish I had read your post before I entered mine.
"There are unconfirmed reports that the Fitzgerald was stationary at the time, but without knowing the Fitzgerald’s own track (if any) and its position at the time of collision all we can do is speculate."
That may have been a sprint and drift ASW pattern. The Navy practices those a lot.
.
Bullshit!
You can see the first pass, which missed, and the return, strike, reverse, and run for cover.