csxman, I advise you to read the other posts on this topic, especially the ones written by Mark C.

I really think all these new documentaries that keep comming out are just to boost ratings.

It all comes down to a ship enduring psysical strain that she or any other ship was never intended to experience.

I think the idea of the expansion joints being her achillies heal is nonsense. They were there to serve a purpose under normal circumstances. And even if they did serve a part in the ship's destruction, the question is really, what does it matter? A ship put to that much stress is going to eventually break her stem.

One time, the Queen Mary ran aground and straddeled the Clyde river. Her bow was in the mud on one side, her stern in the mud on the other. So she had no support under her middle They got her off, but if she stayed there for 30 minutes or so, she whould have broken her back and been a total loss.

So, I guess what I am trying to say is, all ships can be broken with the right amount of strain!