ðɪ ɪfˈɛkt ˌɔn ʃˈɪpɪŋ ɪnðə hˈɑːɹbɚ wʌz dˈɛvᵻstˌeɪɾɪŋ, lˈɑːɹdʒli bɪkˈʌz ʌv wʌt hˈæzbiːn dᵻskɹˈaɪbd æz "ɐn ˈɛɹɚɹ ʌv dʒˈʌdʒmənt ðæt wɪl fɚɹˈɛvɚ ɹᵻmˈeɪn ɐ pˈæɹədˌɑːks ɪn hjˈuːmən saɪkˈɑːlədʒi".
The effect on shipping in the harbour was devastating, largely because of what has been described as "an error of judgement that will forever remain a paradox in human psychology".