Sea state analysis of the sinking of the MS “MELANIE SCHULTE” in 1952

The multi-purpose freighter MELANIE SCHULTE sank in December 1952. The cause of the accident is still unclear. We are investigating whether unusual sea conditions could have been a reason for the accident. To clarify this question, the sea state at the time of the accident is determined using the WAM wave model and compared with a report from the maritime weather office from 1953, which describes the weather and sea state conditions at the time of the accident. Sea state statistics are also used to analyze the height of the waves which could have been hit the MELANIE SCHULTE in an extreme case. The analysis shows that sea conditions at the time of the accident, although severe, were not unusual for the time of year. However, extreme individual waves or unfavorable wavelengths could have resulted in damage or even breakup of the ship.