THE SINKING OF THE NIAGARA
10 THE EDITOR Sir—With reference to the sinking of the Niagara, the under-mentioned mathematical calculations may interest you. The Niagara's speed would be about 16 knots, one knot, 1.69 feet per second. The distance travelled would be 27.04 feet per second. The time of contact would be 27.04 multiplied by 5, which equals 135.2 feet. The distance from the bow to the explosion contact as reported in your issue would, therefore, be less. A similar fate was that of the Union Castle liner Dunbar Castle, which was doing about 8 knots to join the convoy, when she was mined, and the foremast was thrown from it's seating, resulting in the captain and several of the engine room men being killed. There was no loss of life on the Niagara, yet she was doing, nearly twice the speed of the Dunbar Castle. Further, there was a more detailed account of damage in various departments on the Dunbar Castle, such as the kitchen being in chaos, burning various members of the crew.
It appears to be a mystery of the science of mine contents that one differs from, another. The foregoing may gi*£ one food for thought whether it was amine that sank the Niagara.— I am. etc., Chartered Marine Engineer. June 27.
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Otago Daily Times, Issue 24337, 29 June 1940, Page 13
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216THE SINKING OF THE NIAGARA Otago Daily Times, Issue 24337, 29 June 1940, Page 13
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