The SS Pendleton was built in 1944 in Portland, Oregon.
The oil tanker was more than 500 ft long and could reach the speed of 18 miles per hour.
The first unlucky accident happened to the ship in July 1951.
That's when the Pendleton ran aground while traveling along the Hudson River in New York.
There wasn't too much fuss about this misadventure.
The vessel was refloated the next day.
No one knew at that time that the damaged part of the ship's hull would play a crucial role in its tragic sinking.