When does a vessel sink ?

Not that there are many oceans in the middle of the desert, but I understand that there has arisen some discrepancy on a matter dealing with oceans and vessels and the sinking of the latter upon the former. Often the act of sinking happens quite quickly, at other times, the whole process can take years.

• When does a vessel sink ?
• When has a vessel sunk ?

Consider the Titanic as an example. When the ship hit the iceberg, a huge tear in the plating erupted. Was it sunk at that point ? When the vesel rolled over, though still at the surface, was it sunk then ? When it was nose down, half-way under, was it sunk then ? When it was completely covered by the waves, settling towards the bottom of the sea, was it sunk then ? Or was it sunk only when it came to rest at the bottom of the ocean ? Some might say that it was sunk when it left port.

• Consider one persons spiritual path...


• Consider the life of a parish...


• Consider also the national church.