Mystery Unraveled: Shocking Cause Behind Navy Ship’s Deadly Brooklyn Bridge Crash Revealed

Who would have thought a Mexican navy training ship could turn a famous New York landmark into an unexpected crash site? The Cuauhtémoc, a 297-foot beauty meant to sail the seas teaching cadets the ropes, apparently lost power in the middle of its voyage and went on an ill-fated collision course straight into Brooklyn Bridge. It’s the kind of maritime misadventure that makes you ask: how do you lose control of a ship headed the wrong way in one of the world’s busiest cities? Tragically, two lives were lost and over twenty injured as the ship’s masts came crashing down onto the deck. Yet, somehow, the iconic bridge walked away with barely a scratch and reopened shortly after – talk about New York toughness. As the investigation unfolds, the cause remains murky, tangled between mechanical glitches and mysterious engine mishaps. Was it a simple case of bad luck, or something more puzzling beneath the surface? One thing’s for sure – the Cuauhtémoc’s voyage is over, and this unlikely headline will be sailing the internet for a while. LEARN MORE.

The cause behind the crash of a navy ship into Brooklyn Bridge has been revealed by officials following preliminary investigations.

The 297-foot Mexican navy ship was named the Cuauhtémoc, and was said to have lost power during its voyage on Saturday night (17 May), leaving the ship’s crew and captain out of its control when it crashed into the bridge, tragically killing two.

Twenty-two people were injured in the impact, with the ship’s masts falling to the deck where crew members were situated. Nineteen required medical attention.

New York Mayor Eric Adams confirmed the casualties but also announced that the bridge was reopened shortly afterward following an inspection, as the damage done to the bridge itself was minimal.

The ship crashed into Brooklyn Bridge on Saturday evening (LEONARDO MUNOZ/AFP via Getty Images)

Photos on social media terrifyingly revealed that sailors were clinging on to the ship’s 150 foot masts in the aftermath.

With 277 onboard, footage showed the boat heading towards the bridge and losing its masts, one at a time.

It would then be towed away from the scene in a peculiar incident, with police carrying out an initial investigation on the events.

They determined that the ship had likely undergone ‘mechanical issues’ and lost power, following speculation that the ship’s engines were jammed in reverse as the vessel was intended to be travelling the other way.

However, it is still unclear on what really caused the ship to head off course, as New York police chief Wilson Aramboles confirmed that it was supposed to be heading for sea, the opposite direction to the bridge.

Tom Roth-Roffy, a former NTSB maritime investigator, told the Telegraph that footage of the crash showed signs the vessel still had engine power when it crashed, saying it appeared to create a wake in the water.

He said: “If it’s just drifting with the current, the water would be flowing at the same speed as the ship.

“As a vessel moves through the water, it creates a wake.”

However, he added that it was too early to say for sure what really caused the crash.

The naval vessel was heading the wrong way when it crashed (Myles Miller/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

While it was believed that two of those injured were in critical condition, it was confirmed by the New York Coast Guard that everyone was accounted for, as no-one fell into the water.

The Cuauhtémoc was a training vessel for the Mexican navy, which was primarily used to finish cadets’ training.

It had set sail from the Mexican port of Acapulco on the nation’s Pacific coast back on 6 April, with it scheduled to visit 22 ports in 15 countries, which included Jamaica, Cuba, Iceland, France and Scotland.

Following this tragic accident though, the vessel will be unable to complete its journey.