Also, when the 1st funnel fell, Titanic wasn't only listing foreward, it was also listing to port, the direction the funnel fell. The list to port would've put undue strain on the starboard cables, causing them to snap. And I don't doubt that the water around the base at the time didn't help matters. As far as why the other funnels weren't seen falling, I have a theory.

---When #1 funnel fell, the lights were still burning as Titanic began her final dive. After the lights went out, just about anything could've happened that wasn't seen by the lifeboats (remember, it was a moonless night and after looking at the brightly lit Titanic, would have a moment or two of night blindness) including the breaking-up, falling of other funnels, etc... Even the survivors still on the ship and already in the water couldn't agree on what exactly happened. For example, Lightoller, who was in the water near boat B at that time, insisted that she sank intact. Of course, today we all know better. I'm sure that if Titanic had foundered in daylight, a lot more would have been seen that would've possibly been questioned to this day.

Good answer, yes I quite agree with your theory.

When those lights went out, it was like being in the woods camping with no light but the stars. Not nicely lit like in every movie made on it.

I think it might have been officer (Pittman maybe?) who stated that he did not see the ship sink at all because he rowed too far away.

But if it was daylight they would have easily seen that iceberg from maybe a mile away and turned way before it could crash. i think since this happened SHIPS SHOULD HAVE HEADLIGHTS like cars to see whats ahead cause a radar could be wrong you know.

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True, if it happened in the daylight they would have missed that iceberg, but it happened in the dead of night with no moonlight.

Many ships today have searchlights.

They also have the international ice patrol to help ships know where icebergs are.

But, they did not have radar in 1912 when Titanic sunk.

that is right. back then they didn't have radars. they had there eyes.

i would think 2 things contributed to the collapse of the funnel.
1. the wave swept on deck was reported to be violent enough to push people back. the strain the the guy wires would be enourmas as the funnels stood 63 ft (19m) high and well i dont know how much they weighed but that weight just made those wires give out.
2. the expansion point theory. it could happened i dont know. but we must remember that that expansion poit is directly in front of the grand staircase so......

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Infront of the staircase, and behind the first funnel right? It seems likely that if the ship "popped opened" up quickly, that that jarring motion could have caused strain on the guidelines. Maybe?

i think it was a combination of the expansion piont breaking abd the guy wires snapping. and the wave
sorry guys this forum is odd the new post are in the front i think they are in the back. sorry for the double post!
yea that copuld happen. its a theory anyway.

Just a thought, but isn't it possible that the "wave" was actually the bow separating and diving under as Titanic broke up? I'm STILL amazed that most of her boilers are still in place, indicating a possible break-up at a shallower angle.

If you are refering to the new theories which I am not too informed on, then maybe, I don't know.

However, I have always heared that the wave was cause by a sudden dip in the bow and superstructure, as if one of the bulkheads probably like compartment number 5 or 6, finally gave totally in. That, and the fact that you have all the new entries for water (windows, cargo holds, vents, and soon the staircase).