[LonePalm]

Read down through this thread for excellent commentary from former and current Naval Officers who have stood the watch and know what the Fitzgerald watch standers were facing.

"Ceterum censeo Islam esse delendam."

Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)

[Fungi]

Thank you.

[Billthedrill]

Thanks for that. I don't think anyone who has never tried it has a clue how incredibly disorienting night maneuvering can be. What we have is one-half of the track data. It isn't enough to even begin to draw any conclusions.

As to why the captain of the cargo ship conducted that maneuver, the board of inquiry will...ask him. A ship running at 17 knots doing that can be on you so fast it's hard to believe. Been there, done that.