"Suevic", like other White Star liners, had been divided into watertight compartments by watertight bulkheads which could, if they held their integrity allow the ship to remain afloat even if divided. Engineers selected a point just aft of the bridge to cut the ship in two. As oxyacetylene was not available in 1907, this had to be achieved by detonating carefully positioned charges of dynamite. The work to place the explosive charges was hazardous, and took several days, as it could only be undertaken by divers at high or low tide when there was little tidal movement. The move however was a success, and on 2 April the aft half of the ship floated free. The exposed watertight bulkhead held its integrity, and "Suevic" was able to steam under her own power, in reverse and guided by tugs, to Southampton. The damaged bow was left on the rocks where it was broken up by the pounding waves on the night of 9/10 May.