How the Titan Submarine Was Destroyed: Reasons Behind Its Sinking

How the Titan Submarine Met Its Doom: What Caused the Titan Submarine to Sink?

On June 18, 2023, at 6 AM, the Titan submarine, transporting five billionaires to explore the wreckage of the legendary Titanic, which sank in 1912, experienced a tragic accident in the North Atlantic Ocean. The loss of the submarine led to the deaths of all five billionaires on board. The U.S. Coast Guard, leading the search for the missing submarine, announced that on Thursday, June 22, wreckage was discovered close to the location where the Titanic sank in 1912. Subsequently, Ocean Gate, the company that operated the submarine, confirmed the accident.

The exact cause of the accident remains unclear. Some scientists speculate that the submarine may have collided with the Titanic wreckage and gotten trapped, while others suggest that technical issues could have arisen after the submarine descended into the depths. The contact with the submarine was lost shortly after it set off.

Among the five billionaires who lost their lives were British-Pakistani Shahzada Dawood, Vice Chairman of Engro Corporation, and his son Suleman. Also aboard were British billionaire Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and Stockton Rush, the CEO of OceanGate, whose ambitions had driven the ill-fated expedition. Each had boarded with their own reasons, unaware of how their stories would converge in a final, tragic chapter beneath the sea.

What is the story of Titanic Ship:

The story of the Titanic is one of the most famous maritime disasters in history. The RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that was launched on May 31, 1911, by the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Ireland. Known for its luxury, the Titanic was one of the largest and most opulent ships of its time, featuring grand staircases, lavish dining rooms, and a swimming pool.

The Titanic set sail on its maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City on April 10, 1912, with approximately 2,224 passengers and crew on board.

After stops in Cherbourg, France, and Queenstown (now Cobh), Ireland, the ship headed across the Atlantic Ocean.

On the night of April 14, 1912, at approximately 11:40 PM, the Titanic struck an iceberg in the North Atlantic. 

The ship was equipped with only 20 lifeboats, enough for about half of those on board. Evacuations began, but many passengers and crew members did not make it onto the lifeboats due to confusion and panic. The Titanic sank within about two and a half hours, at around 2:20 AM on April 15, 1912. Over 1,500 people lost their lives in the disaster.

The story of the Titanic has inspired numerous books, films, and documentaries, with James Cameron's 1997 film "Titanic" being one of the most popular portrayals.

How Did the Titan Submarine Get Destroyed?

Experts indicate that the pressure from water at ocean depths can be immense, potentially reaching four to five thousand pounds per square inch, which is about 350 times greater than that on the surface of the Earth. The thrilling expedition to view the Titanic wreckage miles below the sea ended tragically for the billionaires. After the submarine went missing, all passengers were declared dead. The U.S. Navy reported detecting a loud explosion on the same day the Titan submersible went missing. After several days of searching without any signs of the submarine, the passengers were officially declared dead. It is now believed that the submarine was destroyed in a catastrophic implosion.

What Happens in an Implosion?

An implosion is the reverse of an explosion. An explosion involves something bursting outward, while an implosion happens when external pressure forces an object to collapse inward. Forensic expert Tom Maddox explained to CNN that a structural weakness in the submarine likely caused it to be unable to withstand the intense pressure, leading to an implosion that scattered debris.

Experts highlight the extreme pressure found underwater, where even a minor flaw can have catastrophic effects. A small leak could set off a rapid implosion. This implosion occurs in a fraction of a millisecond, so the destruction would have been almost instantaneous, giving the passengers no time to react or even realize what was happening.

Difference between implosion and explosion:

An explosion is a rapid outward release of energy, typically resulting in a loud sound, shockwaves, and an increase in temperature. In an explosion, the force moves outward from a central point, causing materials to be ejected away from the center.

An implosion is a rapid inward collapse of a structure or object, often caused by external pressure exceeding the internal pressure. Implosions typically occur when an object is subjected to extreme external pressure, which can happen underwater or in a vacuum. Structural weaknesses can also lead to implosion.