[djha-skin]

I strongly believe that iron ore liquefaction ultimately proved the ship's demise. More about how this can happen here[1]. The facts all line up:

  - Tons of water likely getting into the cargo hold, wetting it down, especially if the 
    crew didn't take care of shutting the cargo hold top.
  - Lots of rocking back and forth
  - They were carrying tons of iron ore
  - That stuff can absorb a ton of water, then when rocked, let it all loose at once, 
    thus causing a top-heavy rocking motion that will capsize a vessel within minutes.

1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iG_EknYj5go

[dev_tty01]

You may be right about the liquefaction, but there is zero chance the crew forgot to shut the cargo holds properly. They knew they were heading into a storm and everyone on that ship understood their lives depended on securing all the hatches.

[nradov]

Iron ore liquefaction is still a deadly problem for bulk carriers today and is suspected to be the cause of several recent sinkings.

https://gcaptain.com/cargo-liquefaction-continues-to-pose-de...