The gaps, the longest of which measures about long, appear to have followed the line of the hull plates. This suggests that the iron rivets along the plate seams snapped off or popped open to create narrow gaps through which water flooded. An engineer from "Titanic" builders, Harland and Wolff, suggested this scenario at the British Wreck Commissioner's inquiry following the disaster, but his view was discounted. "Titanic" discoverer, Robert Ballard, has commented that the assumption that the ship had suffered a major breach was "a by-product of the mystique of the "Titanic". No one could believe that the great ship was sunk by a little sliver." Faults in the ship's hull may have been a contributing factor. Recovered pieces of "Titanic" hull plates appear to have shattered on impact with the iceberg without bending.