How much weight would additional watertight bulkheads have added?
Short answerThey would have added noticeable weight, but not enough to create a dramatic design problem.
NotesAdditional watertight bulkheads would have added appreciable mass without creating a dramatic design obstacle. The larger commercial penalty lay in extra structure and subdivided cargo spaces, which reduced open room and raised cost. These engineering and business tradeoffs were within the reach of 1912 shipbuilding. The available technology could support the safety work even though companies had reasons to resist its cost.