Did a coal fire/explosion contribute to the sinking of the titanic?

There have been many examples of incidents involving coal dust explosions or fires in Mines, Cement and the Power industry and transport systems but none have caught the imagination more than the stories of how or why the Titanic, the unsinkable sank.

Today as we move more and more away from Coal as a fuel, we forget the basics of fire and explosion in solid fuels. Coal is moved and kept outside by operators, due to the risks of fire from self-ignition and if dispersed, an explosion. The risk increases greatly if the coal is stored in a bunker or moved to ancillary equipment.

The fire in Titanic’s coalbunker continues to smoulder long after the ill-fated ship sank beneath the waves. Over the years, authors have speculated that the fire might have weakened the ship, hastening her demise.

These days we cannot conceive of a ship setting sail with a fire aboard, but the reality is that minor smouldering fires were common in the age of coal. Would we allow such an incident to go unattended in industry?

Spontaneous combustion of coal had caused a stubborn fire in the starboard bunker in the aft corner of Boiler Room No. 6. A Firefighter testified before the American inquiry that he had been among 12 men assigned to fight this coalbunker fire. The coal on top of the bunker was wet, but the bottom of the pile was dry. The coal pile began to smoulder. The fire, detected from its sulphurous odour during the ship’s departure from Southampton on her maiden voyage. It is uncertain how long this fire had burned, but from testimony of surviving stokers at the inquiries, it appears that it burned for at least 72 hours. The 12-man crew made every effort to put it out. Those fighting the fire were alarmed at their inability to extinguish it. The engineering officers instructed these men not to converse with the passengers so as not to alarm them.

There are many critics of the various reports about the fire & the methods used to extinguish it, its location and the damage it did to the starboard bulkhead. Pictures do show heat damage to the bulkhead and this is where the hole penetrated the bulkhead when hit by the Iceberg.

Marine Engineering also warns against wetting coal:

“Coal should not be taken on board wet if it can be avoided, and care should be taken to keep it dry in the bunkers, as moisture sometimes causes a rapid and dangerous generation of heat and gas, which may result in spontaneous combustion. Before decks are washed down after coaling, the bunker plates should be replaced and made tight, to prevent water from getting into the bunkers.”

I am sure that we have not heard the last of the bunker fire aboard RMS Titanic. This article does indicate the importance staying closer to the facts when discussing all incidents. Wither or not the Titanic was sunk due to the consequences of a coalbunker fire; the reality is, be it by sea or by land, human error is always the issue.

A deep-seated hot spot in bulk storage can be very difficult to extinguish. But with the proper training and equipment, these fires can be safely handled, without incident. Earlier detection is key when combating a silo/bunker fire. Fixed CO monitoring equipment is the most effective tool in detecting the early signs of combustion.

For our recommendations on how to prevent and deal with incidents in cement coal-fired systems, download the white paper below:

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