[QUE] Seeking info on flares shot by sinking ships

[mkubani]

Hello guys,

I would like to ask you about some information regarding flares used by doomed ships that were hit either by enemy subs or enemy planes.

Was it a common practice by warships and merchants to shoot such flares? If yes, what was the colour? Red? White?

As for the lifeboats/survivors, would they also send some visual signal to rescue float planes? What kind, please?

Thanks a lot for the information.

[Dissaray]

As I understand it the flares were mostly white phosphorus burners, like the ones they used to iliuminat battle fields at the time too and that would make them white in color. They were mostly used to light up the water so the guners and watch crew could see better in a bid to avoid torpido attacks in the caise of merchants and in the caise of war ships they were hoping to see the u-boat so they could kill them and also avoid any torpidos ment for them. It is the same idea as a spot light only it lights up more area.

In terms of light signals for rescue uses, you probly wouldn't see them if you were the attacking u-boat. I think they had recue flares back then but it wouldn't make sence to use them just after the crew abandond ship unless there is some other ship that is out there to come and get them that could see the flare from their position; those things don't stay light for all that long and they don't stay up in the air for long eather.

[ryanglavin]

Seeing some videos on youtube, the time that flares stayed in the air visible was only about 1 minute or so. If your in the middle of the Atlantic, the ship is cursed.

[iambecomelife]

Hello guys,

I would like to ask you about some information regarding flares used by doomed ships that were hit either by enemy subs or enemy planes.

Was it a common practice by warships and merchants to shoot such flares? If yes, what was the colour? Red? White?

As for the lifeboats/survivors, would they also send some visual signal to rescue float planes? What kind, please?

Thanks a lot for the information.

Merchantmen were under standing orders to launch red flares if they suffered torpedo hits. It took a lot of nerve to follow this order when your ship was sinking fast, so this was often forgotten in the rush to leave the ship.

If the ship was not sinking the crew was supposed to hoist "not in command" lights (somewhat similar to the red port & green starboard navigation lights). I am not sure what color these were. I think this would only have been done if there was little danger of a second attack.

Regarding liferafts, US Navy rafts were equipped with signalling flares for sure (I think they were red). As for private shipping lines, it would all depend on how safety conscious a particular company was - some were notorious for their under-equipped lifeboats. Better-equipped rafts/boats would have had smoke floats (which gave off a reddish smoke) and white flares.