| Additionally, had the Yorktown rolled over, she would have, for the most part, fallen almost straight down to the bottom, much like the stern section of the Titanic when she sank in 1912. Yet, as can be seen in a photograph taken during Robert ballard's visit to the Yorktown in 1998, the towing cable that had been used to tow the Yorktown was found wrapped around the carrier's island. Since the cable was attached to the bow, it probably would not have become entangled around the island had the ship simply fallen to the bottom. Feasibly, if the Yorktown sank bow first, she would have glided to the bottom, as did the bow section of the Titanic (which sank bow first). The force of the water rushing past the Yorktown as she glided to the bottom would have forced the cable around the island, which is what is seen in photographs of the wreck today. Finally, the debris on the ship would have remained undisturbed by the force of the water, protected by surrounding gun tubs and other such shields, where it now appears. |