The Kursk Disaster - What is your theory?

[fatty]

Originally Posted by Kapitan

The oscar II was designed around the MK48 ADCAPS they were designed to take one hit and be able to surface the maximum damage one MK48ADCAP could do is realy flood two compartments well thats still not enough to send her down to the bottom, whats more if you look at the angle of the sub as she lays there, note her arse end is a fair bit boyant even with 7 forward compartments completely flooded.

Sounds not too far from another vessel that was supposedly unsinkable

[Kapitan]

Oscar II has two major week points that could split it in half easily if hit but the chance of a torpedo hitting those two spots is slim as they are both on the belly of the submarine (one near the reactor one between compartments 2 and 3), if a torpedo hit head on or even impacted the compartments 1 and 2 its still not enough to sink her.

[Kapitan]

the bow and sail of all Oscar II are re inforced theres two main beams that run along the submarine end to end, unless you get one right up the tube again its going to do little damage dont forget there wont be time for a fire the compartment will flood not long after impact.

[VizlaN]

Originally Posted by ASWnut101

My theory? Here: A 65cm Hydrogen Peroxide powered torpedo malfunctioned in the magazine, blew up, and sunk the boat.

Indeed. Can't realy comprehend wich idiot that authorized the use of it. Been working with Hydrogen Peroxide for several years in a lab, it's a VERY unstable explosive! Confined, everything over 5 grams will selfdetonate over it's own weight if the substance has suffered polution. ( Polution as in fine grains of dust or moister from the air )

[seawolf34]

I saw a program on one of the documentary channels on sky a while ago which went into great detail about what happened onboard the Kursk. A flaw in the torpedos they were carrying caused an explosion which caused the disaster.

Got no idea if all that's true of course, could all be a cover up but I certainly remember alot of detail was shown in the program. They talked about how the inital explosion and fireball didn't just kill the men in the torpedo room but even crew members as far back as the control room were either rendered unconcious or killed. If I remember correctly the reason they explained as to why the fireball from the explosion so easily traveled back through the compartments was down to something like how the air conditioning system worked on the sub, or something like that.

One thing I remember being talked about was evidence that the inner torpedo hatch wasn't properly closed and secured when the torpedo explosion occured, if it was, the initial explosion and it's effects `might` (that's my words, I can't remember exactly what was said as I watched this program a while ago!) not of been so dramatic further away from the torpedo room & if the crew in the con hadn't been either knocked out or killed outright then who knows if they could of managed to get the sub to the surface.

It was a very interesting documentary, keep an eye out for it on national geographic channel, it's bound to be repeated.

[geetrue]

Whatever the problem was that sunk her ... it had to happen fast.
Most US submarines run around with all compartment hatches open. I suspect the Russians are the same ...
only in an emergency or a drill or for battle stations would the hatches be dogged watertight.

The topedo's were suspected in the Scorpion sinking too,
but I think not. Not in that case, but aren't these Russian torpedo's
the super fast 60 to 70 kts and only go in a straight line?

Perhaps their own fish did it, but not Uncle Sam's ... that's for sure.

But don't ya'll remember some of the crew made it to the aft escape trunk and died in the trunk from lack of air?

I thought they left a note, a clue perhaps.

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by geetrue

I thought they left a note, a clue perhaps.

They did leave a note, but they were far from the forward compartments when it all happened, and I'm sure their clue would be no more accurate than those that we have ourselves. I'm certain that whatever happened, happend fast and unexpectedly. As you yourself suggest about the compartment hatches - I would guess whatever happened to the sub, it was not rigged for any sort of emergency circumstances. If it were, as Kapitan suggests in terms of the torpedo survivability, it's unlikely that would have sunk the sub.

As far as I understand, were this not a completely unexpected event (and if it weren't an accident, I would think it would be expected), the damage would not have been so catastrophical and there would be survivors, the sub could maybe even surface. When the thing blew up, and everything seems to suggest that the 'thing' was inside of it, it was already too late to start doing anything. Water went from compartment to compartment and the sub just sank.

[August]

Originally Posted by Kazuaki Shimazaki II

[It is open to public scrutiny, but that only works if there is public INTEREST - ratings for the TV stations. The media can be rabid when worked up but their attention also gets diverted just as easily and fast onto another focal point. The Memphis inspection was a good move (If I assume a collision) by the US Navy. Let them see the undamaged sub to cool down the media attention. While they are staring at Memphis, do a sleight of hand with Toledo.

Subman is right. There is absolutely no way the US Navy could keep such a secret. There would be far too many people involved, from the crew to shipwrights and dock workers, to the various politicos and their staffers, you're talking thousands of people. Somebody would talk for any number of reasons and while the US media may be easily diverted it would not be long before they returned to it.

Even today, years later, revelations that the US Navy was involved in the Kursk disaster would be front page news in every city in the US. If not for the action then the coverup.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by August

Subman is right. There is absolutely no way the US Navy could keep such a secret. There would be far too many people involved, from the crew to shipwrights and dock workers, to the various politicos and their staffers, you're talking thousands of people. Somebody would talk for any number of reasons and while the US media may be easily diverted it would not be long before they returned to it.

Even today, years later, revelations that the US Navy was involved in the Kursk disaster would be front page news in every city in the US. If not for the action then the coverup.

Even if I were not right, you could consider it payback for the USS Scorpion.

-S

[Enigma]

so.....Scorpian was sunk by the Russians?

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Enigma

so.....Scorpian was sunk by the Russians?

That is one theory, and since the Admirals say that maybe in due time we will get to know what happened, I am inclined to think so. Admiral Victor Dygalo is the one that hinted at that as the the true reason - and this is why the truth was covered up (notice that not much attention was given to the Scorpion sinking over what was given to the Thresher?).

-S

[Enigma]

Huh.

I always was of the opinion that it was all but certain it was a hot Torp.

[SUBMAN1]

Originally Posted by Enigma

Huh.

I always was of the opinion that it was all but certain it was a hot Torp.

THats the official explanation, but if you look at the evidence, it is a near impossibility. I series of errors so long would have had to happen for that to be true. Then all the secrecy surrounding this sinking - which is exactly opposite of what happened to Thresher, and you have the makings of the perfect cover up in my opinion. Every attempt at inquiry was kept secret from the public. Notice that this didn't happen with Thresher.

-S