Why did the Titanic list to the port side?

Question

Why did the Titanic list to its port side, not the starboard side, for much of the sinking? It was listing to the starboard side in the very early stages of the sinking, but it is known that it shifted its list to port. Does anyone know why? This seems odd as it hit the iceberg on the starboard side.

Answer 1

Initially after the collision, most people went to Port as it was the high side...everybody from starboard belowdecks headed for the Port side as well.  Then the water would have equalised within the hull...she would level off then roll to port and not recover.

Answer 2

Once the water filled in to the level of the rupture, that side of the ship wouldn't fill higher on that side.  Then the momentum of the water would fill the opposite side to the point where the rupture was the highest point above water.  If you don't believe me, poke a hole in a coffee can and watch how it sinks.

Answer 3

Water always seeks its own level.

The Titannic listed to the port side because the water found its own path to the lowest parts of the ship, which on the port side, were not sealed as thoroughly as on the starboard.

Therefore, the water collected on the port side earlier on during the disaster. .