GoDeep
08-23-11, 06:31 PM
During my current patrol, I had to dive deep to evade a searching escort. I set my depth for 160 metres (clicked the depth meter twice to make sure) and went to silent running.
I am switching between the hydrophone and the map to keep taps on where this persistent destroyer is headed and what he's doing.
Suddenly, I hear the LI call out "Depth 170 metres". I go to the zentrale, check the meter and indeed, the boat is below the depth that I set. And it keeps slowly sinking, but at an increasing rate of descent. I re-order depth for 160 metres and I see the guy adjust the dive planes but nothing happens, except us sinking faster. I secure from silent running and increase speed to 2 knots but this makes no difference.
180 metres... still sinking
190 metres... sinking ever faster
At 210 metres, I order to blow ballast. The boat begins to rise but the destroyer is now also overhead. It must have heard all my manoeuvres. Depth charges are dropped and I go to AK and turn to avoid them landing directly on me. At 160 metres I order to maintain depth and resume silent running. Again, the boat starts to slowly sink. I manage to arrest the dive again and at 130 metres, she seems to stabilize and able to hold her depth. This also seems enough to keep the destroyer from finding me and she gives up her search a little while later.
Still, that was a nasty surprise the game threw at me. It just goes to show that even when you think you're safe, "reality" pops up and punches you on the nose! It was a bit hairy, trying to stabilize the boat with the destroyer up there, but it sure kept me on my toes. Great for the immersion factor!
Anyone have similar nasty surprises?
I am switching between the hydrophone and the map to keep taps on where this persistent destroyer is headed and what he's doing.
Suddenly, I hear the LI call out "Depth 170 metres". I go to the zentrale, check the meter and indeed, the boat is below the depth that I set. And it keeps slowly sinking, but at an increasing rate of descent. I re-order depth for 160 metres and I see the guy adjust the dive planes but nothing happens, except us sinking faster. I secure from silent running and increase speed to 2 knots but this makes no difference.
180 metres... still sinking
190 metres... sinking ever faster
At 210 metres, I order to blow ballast. The boat begins to rise but the destroyer is now also overhead. It must have heard all my manoeuvres. Depth charges are dropped and I go to AK and turn to avoid them landing directly on me. At 160 metres I order to maintain depth and resume silent running. Again, the boat starts to slowly sink. I manage to arrest the dive again and at 130 metres, she seems to stabilize and able to hold her depth. This also seems enough to keep the destroyer from finding me and she gives up her search a little while later.
Still, that was a nasty surprise the game threw at me. It just goes to show that even when you think you're safe, "reality" pops up and punches you on the nose! It was a bit hairy, trying to stabilize the boat with the destroyer up there, but it sure kept me on my toes. Great for the immersion factor!
Anyone have similar nasty surprises?