[yldstrk]

Was there an investigation? I hate to even ask, but I'm curious..

[Gator101]

I believe the most popular theory was that some cargo hold hatches came loose and she kept taking on water in the heavy seas. Eventually it was enough to send her down.

[SolutionsOnly]

yes, I believe that the conclusion was that the hull split when huge waves lifted the bow and stern, leaving the center of the ship unsupported.

[apackof2]

What caused the ship to sink? There are a couple of theories cited in the "Marine Casualty Report" by the US. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation Report. Since there were no survivors nor witnesses, their report is based on testimonies and an underwater survey of the wreck. This report suggests that the Fitzgerald was taking on water due to earlier damage from the storm and that around 7:15 p.m. it plunged headfirst into a large wave and sank abruptly.

[Alberta's Child]

The official investigation was not conclusive, but they're pretty certain about the cause of the wreck. It's never been "officially" established because there was an element of human error involved and they authorities have been deferential to the families of the survivors in this regard.

The ship was an ore carrier that carried its load in its enormous hold. The ore is loaded and unloaded through giant hatches that are closed during voyages to protect the load from the outside elements. One or more of these hatches were not properly secured before the voyage (or somehow loosened during the trip), so the hold slowly filled with water during the heavy storm.

The heavy seas caused the ship to pitch forward and back (since the wind was coming from the northwest, which was the back of the ship as it proceeded to the southeast), and on one forward "lean" the entire load of iron ore slid forward in the hold, causing the nose of ship to plunge beneath the surface. It is believed that for an instant the back of the ship was lifted completely out of the water before breaking off. The ship probably went down in less than a minute, which explains why no distress call was ever heard.

Some of these conclusions were derived from an exploration of the wreck about five years ago by a submersible robot. I've always found this painting -- which is based on the images from that exploration -- to be particularly eerie.

[Paladin2]

"Was there an investigation?" No, not really. A witch hunt at best.

The wreck of the Patrick Fitzgerald, coming soon.

[Wiseghy]

If I recall, history channel did something about this.

I believe it showed that one of the forward cargo hatches blew out and flooded as a result of some pressure imbalance(?). The ship nosed straight into a wave and never came out.

That was the guess, anyway.