Sonar used in WW2.

[BogdaNz]

I remeber read somewhere,that the sonar was ineffective at excesive speed of 12-13 knots. So that always destroyes had less that 12 knots to detect submarine
Is this true ?

[Sailor Steve]

I've read that as well, yet there doesn't seem to be a definitive answer that I can find now. I've also read that by 1945 the US and UK had upped the usable speed to 18 knots. Can't find solid evidence of either one now.

[Captain Nemo]

This document might be of interest http://traktoria.org/files/sonar/sonar__detector_of_submerged_submarines_OPNAV_P413-104_(1946).pdf

Nemo

[Jimbuna]

Nice find :up:

[Sailor Steve]

"Might be..."? That's fascinating! Thanks for the link.

Early on the document talks about streamlined sonar domes upping the effective speed from 10 to 15 knots, but while it implies this happening prior to the US entry into the war it doesn't give specific dates for the actual adoption of the equipment, or for the British development of it.

It also claims that we were detecting surfaced submarines, and I've never heard that claimed anywhere. It would be interesting to find out more about this.

[Osmium Steele]

It also claims that we were detecting surfaced submarines, and I've never heard that claimed anywhere.

Not sure about american sonar, but ASDIC could not detect a surfaced submarine. I've seen numerous references to that fact from both british and german sources.

[Captain Nemo]

"Might be..."? That's fascinating! Thanks for the link.

Glad you found it a fascinating read.:up:

Nemo

[theroc44]

Not sure about american sonar, but ASDIC could not detect a surfaced submarine. I've seen numerous references to that fact from both british and german sources.


Ive read that as well, "hitlers uboat war" Hardcover says that in there.

[theroc44]

does anyone know if any U-boats or any sub for that matter, that operated in the atlantic that were lost to hurricanes off of africa or the atlantic? Im battening down the hatches here in NYC for irene and got me thinking did any subs get caught in the "perfect storm" after all past and present naval warfare.

[Jimbuna]

I can't say definitively (no references where I'm currently located) but I do belive the odd boat may have floundered/succumbed to extremely inclement weather.

The usual practice was to dive and wait out the storm, the practice was also useful because it rested the majority of the crew and gave them the chance to have an uninterrupted meal.

[difool2]

Fair warning to those who read the above and thought that any escort running above 12/18 knots can't hear you in the sim...well they can.

[Sailor Steve]

Of course they can. That's why we discuss the reality - so we can bring out the flaws and talk about what's wrong with the game.

...the sim...
And that's why it's not a sim, but just a game.

[Sailor Steve]

I can't say definitively (no references where I'm currently located) but I do belive the odd boat may have floundered/succumbed to extremely inclement weather.
I've not heard of any, because they usually tethered the watch crew and kept the hatch closed. Of course there was the one boat in which the replacement watch went to the bridge to find no one there. They had all been washed overboard. :dead:

[Jimbuna]

I've not heard of any, because they usually tethered the watch crew and kept the hatch closed. Of course there was the one boat in which the replacement watch went to the bridge to find no one there. They had all been washed overboard. :dead:

Yep....U-106

U-106 (http://www.uboat.net/boats/u106.htm), 23 Oct 1941
An incredibly sad event befell U-106 on this date. When the replacement watch opened the tower hatch in rough seas they found out that the entire previous tower watch of 4 men had been washed overboard. [Oberleutnant zur See Werner Grüneberg, Fähnrich zur See Herbert von Bruchhausen, Oberbootsmannmaat Karl Heemann, Matrose Ewald Brühl]

[theroc44]

Yep....U-106

U-106 (http://www.uboat.net/boats/u106.htm), 23 Oct 1941
An incredibly sad event befell U-106 on this date. When the replacement watch opened the tower hatch in rough seas they found out that the entire previous tower watch of 4 men had been washed overboard. [Oberleutnant zur See Werner Grüneberg, Fähnrich zur See Herbert von Bruchhausen, Oberbootsmannmaat Karl Heemann, Matrose Ewald Brühl]


Sounds like a massive rogue wave..sad indeed

[Jimbuna]

I can't imagine many things worse than being washed overboard only to see your vessel sailing on without you and nobody aboard being aware of your predicament.