SCIENCE AND THE SEA 



The unmistakable imprint of another ship's bow torn into the forecastle of this freighter, is mute evidence 



of the force of impact. 



were presumed to be outbound vessels from the 

 Virginia Capes. No plot was started for any of 

 the contacts to determine their true course and 

 speed. Several minutes before the collision 

 occurred, the watch officer observed that one 



contact, Ship A, had closed to a range of 2 to 3 

 miles and was still bearing 045° relative. He 

 failed, however, to inform the master of this fact 

 or to take any action of his own. At 2136 an object 

 was sighted on the starboard bow which appeared 



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