Log in

View Full Version : The Vaughan escapes again


Kapitan_Phillips
01-29-08, 08:58 AM
What a stupid mission to be sent on! "Photograph aircraft carriers in Manila" only the most difficult port I've ever tried to infiltrate!

I was spotted halfway in by a subchaser, even though I was on silent running and periscope depth (must've seen my sub underneath) which pinged the hell out of me for a good 5 minutes before lacing me with depth charges in about 80 ft of water. I took huge damage to the engine compartment and control room, with rapid flooding in the former. Luckily, I had already assembled the best damage control team I could, and they pounced on the problem immediatley. However, the Vaughan was already beginning to list, and I thought: "Well if I'm going down, that scumbag's going down with me"

Up goes the periscope, and four fish from the bow tubes rocket towards the Japanese ship, probably celebrating the utter destruction of the Vaughan. After three huge explosions, the ship breaks apart, giving me precious time to bring my batteries back online.

We had about 25% charge left, due to several ruptures in the after batteries, so flank speed garnered about 4 knots, which was better than nothing. We were on our way back towards the harbour entrance, with the back end almost scraping on the ground. I needed every volt from the batteries, and every electrical pulse in the crew's muscles to bring this boat back from the dead.

After a long, nailbiting wait, the bulkheads were finally plugged, but both the main and hydraulic pumps were broken. Those were the next priority, we needed to be rid of this water!

The control room was first to drain after one of the pumps was repaired. Much to the delight of the OOD, who's socks were needless to say, rather soggy. The engine room was a different story. It was almost 3/4 full, and needed the full power of the pumps and buckets to empty. The Vaughan's list shrunk, and it righted itself..

By this time, we were out by Mariveles, so I blew ballast, expelling that accumulated water out. Would the engines work?

*clunk*...*thunk. thunk. thunkthunkthunkthunkthuthuthuthuthuthuthuthuthu*

*JOY*

We had escaped again. By the very skin of our teeth.


I love this game.

AVGWarhawk
01-29-08, 09:04 AM
Great patrol KP:up:. As much as people had gotten upset over the repair interface, if used correctly it can be a great piece of enjoyment of the game...even though you are slowly slipping to the bottom. My favorite part is real time for the repair is modeled in. I got whacked so badly one patrol it took me 1 1/2 days to get my stern afloat again and I sculked back to port at 4 kts.

Snuffy
01-29-08, 09:08 AM
Good story. Don't know how many times I've found myself in the same situation.

Damage management is doable as warhawk says. I run 1:1 time when damaged, so a lot of my time is spent evading while DC makes the needed repairs.

Yep proper oder for any good skipper is Bulkheads first, pumps second, engines third, then batteries, the rest in order of least damage and need.