LukeFF
02-27-08, 04:41 AM
Just though I'd throw this out there as food for thought for any future modding on depth charge effectiveness:
From U.S. Submarines Through 1945:
"Tests of the Tambor series began on 20 December 1940 off Portsmouth, with the submarine under way at periscope depth in 110-125 ft of water. A charge at 60 ft, 510 yd from the submarine, produced a sensation similiar to a slammed watertight door or the flapping of a Kingston valve - a sharp but not very intense jolt. The only damage was a dislocated microswitch on No.6 main ballast tank vent. A shot a 340 yd produced a sensation described as three times as intense. The boat was shoved sideways and noticeably shaken. One electric light bulb filament broke, and the 200-lb blow line (diver's connection) in the conning tower opened slightly and started to bleed air. A third shot at 275 yd, not quite doubling the intensity of the earlier ones, did real damage...the No. 4 battery ventilation blower developed a slight knock, apparently as the result of a loose stuffing box on the fan and no packing; the No. 3 main engine outboard exhaust valve began to leak...the main vent valve of a fuel-ballast tank leaked..six or seven bulb filaments broke; and a fuse burned out...
Depth charges were far less lethal than had been imagined; allowances on surface ships were increased and heavier (600 lb vice 300 lb) charges standardized. By the end of the war, it was assumed that a 300-lb depth charge had to explode within 14 ft to have a reasonable chance of breaking open the pressure hull. At twice that distance, it would probably disable the submarine. Within 60 ft, it would tend to demoralize the crew, but that could be minimized by training, discipline, and morale."
:hmm:
From U.S. Submarines Through 1945:
"Tests of the Tambor series began on 20 December 1940 off Portsmouth, with the submarine under way at periscope depth in 110-125 ft of water. A charge at 60 ft, 510 yd from the submarine, produced a sensation similiar to a slammed watertight door or the flapping of a Kingston valve - a sharp but not very intense jolt. The only damage was a dislocated microswitch on No.6 main ballast tank vent. A shot a 340 yd produced a sensation described as three times as intense. The boat was shoved sideways and noticeably shaken. One electric light bulb filament broke, and the 200-lb blow line (diver's connection) in the conning tower opened slightly and started to bleed air. A third shot at 275 yd, not quite doubling the intensity of the earlier ones, did real damage...the No. 4 battery ventilation blower developed a slight knock, apparently as the result of a loose stuffing box on the fan and no packing; the No. 3 main engine outboard exhaust valve began to leak...the main vent valve of a fuel-ballast tank leaked..six or seven bulb filaments broke; and a fuse burned out...
Depth charges were far less lethal than had been imagined; allowances on surface ships were increased and heavier (600 lb vice 300 lb) charges standardized. By the end of the war, it was assumed that a 300-lb depth charge had to explode within 14 ft to have a reasonable chance of breaking open the pressure hull. At twice that distance, it would probably disable the submarine. Within 60 ft, it would tend to demoralize the crew, but that could be minimized by training, discipline, and morale."
:hmm: