Immersion in Silent Hunter 4

[Bubble Head]

Hi everyone,

I've put this in the Silent Hunter 4 thread as my question specifically is focussed around and pointed to people playing this game.

As a side note, I recently came across from SH3 and until very recently was having trouble connecting with SH4 but I'm glad to say that OPMONSUN has successfully broken this disconect for me. I'm even getting right into playing fleet boats now... :rock:

This question has primarily come from this very old thread on Reddit regards narrative creation and personal narrative in games which sparked my interest. (http://www.reddit.com/r/truegaming/comments/nl3vo/silent_hunter_and_other_simulations_and_personal/)

So my question is this: What do the good folks of SH4 do both in their spare time and in game to maximize their immersion in the gaming experience?

I'll give you some quick examples of what I do - absorb like an OCD sponge every detail I can as fast as possible about the topic of interest (in this case American Sub Action of WWII in the Pacific Theatre) - this includes reading both fact and fiction, watching movies, listening to podcasts and audio books. I love to collect pictures and information regards what I'm currently absorbing and peruse over those until they become something committed to memory.

In the game itself I may give myself a real Captains name or use mods to the effect and attempt to recreate a war patrol - that sort of thing.

What do you guys do to maintain immerssion and is it even important to you?

I'm guessing it is. :know:

Cheers guys and happy hunting! :salute:

[ETR3(SS)]

I went and enlisted in the Navy and chose submarines. :haha:

[Bubble Head]

I went and enlisted in the Navy and chose submarines. :haha:

:rock:

Not quite what I was touching on though.... but there's a commitment to immersion if I ever heard one!

[ReallyDedPoet]

I recently ordered this book:

http://www.submarinebaseph.com/ThunderBelow1.jpg

Have also watched a number of documentaries, including this great one:
Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSjKT8JPQAc)

[fireftr18]

Using headphones and turning the volume up does it for me. I haven't tried the large screen TV and surround sound yet. I don't have time to look for and read about submarine warfare.

[BigWalleye]

Two suggestions:

First, there are quite a few first-person accounts by submarine officers/slippers, more than are available from the German side in English translation. O'Kane, Beach, Fluckey, Gallantin, Ruhe, Ruiz, Calvert are all worth reading. (All of these are available as ebooks.) And there are contemporary USN manuals, like NavPers 16160, available on-line: http://maritime.org/doc/fleetsub/index.htm.

Second, for in-game immersion, there is SH4Speech. Instead of pushing buttons, you give orders. The crew repeats the order, passes it along, and then executes it. SH4Speech is an add-on that runs concurrently. Get it here: http://knepfler.com/shSpeech/

Both add to my sense of involvement. (I hesitate to use "immersion" WRT a subsim.:D)

[TG626]

Historical reading. First hand accounts and reports online, that sort of thing. Occasional musing of how a conversation about the current orders or situation might go between me and my officers.

[BigWalleye]

Historical reading. First hand accounts and reports online, that sort of thing. Occasional musing of how a conversation about the current orders or situation might go between me and my officers.

TG626, that's a source I missed, and a rich one. The Historical Naval Ships Association website (hsna.org) contains, among other things, several hundred actual patrol reports from WW2 subs at http://www.hnsa.org/doc/subreports.htm. Some dry, some salty. But the real thing, that would be circulated to other sub skippers to share information. IIRC, some have the actual annotations from Uncle Charlie. That's pretty immersive!

(If only the game would provide some comments from Uncle Charlie when I finish a patrol....)

[Armistead]

I listen to several of the radio stations made by Fred and others to pass time and for real immersion always play with cams off. Nothing like being stuck in the sub while under attack not knowing what's going on above...

[TG626]

TG626, that's a source I missed, and a rich one. The Historical Naval Ships Association website (hsna.org) contains, among other things, several hundred actual patrol reports from WW2 subs at http://www.hnsa.org/doc/subreports.htm.

Yep, that's the one!

I also keep a gramophone packed with music of the era and several period radio stations on hand via the in game radio.

You can check the patrol reports thread for my post about my recent "demise" :)

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?p=2187067

[tomarse]

Historical reading.
Lights off in the room if travelling at night.
SH4 Speech to minimize the mouse requirement and hear the crew respond to my verbal orders.
:D

[merc4ulfate]

When I am not playing I pretend I am on leave and my girl is a nurse ... but she is only wearing the hat.:har:

http://www.capscentral.org/auction/OliviaNurseBettie.jpg

[TorpX]

I read the historical literature, use hard settings, limit my TC, and play DID. That does it for me.

[Admiral Halsey]

Using the RSRDC mod I watch the battles with either Ride of the Valkyries or the 1812 overture playing in the background. As for when i'm not playing the game and need to get into the mood i'll watch some of the Why We Fight movies.

[Bubble Head]

I read the historical literature, use hard settings, limit my TC, and play DID. That does it for me.


I've been meaning to try limiting my TC - what is the max you tend to use that you find acceptable?

Also what is "DID" - excuse my ignorance?:hmmm:

[Armistead]

DID= Dead is Dead.

[Bubble Head]

DID= Dead is Dead.

Ahhhhh... Hardcore :arrgh!:

And your pref for TC settings?

[Armistead]

I use TC all the time, about 3500 getting where I want and around 1500 patrolling near Jap controlled waters. Yes, I use the lag cheat, but the cheat really isn't in TC, it's in the sonar contact zone where you can take advantage of it yourself..

[Sniper297]

Somebody has to use the pun.

For immersion;
1. Find sheltered bay with warm water.
2. Stop engines, drop anchor.
3. Cut junior ensign in several places, throw him overboard.
4. Station lookouts with M-1s on main deck.
5. Rig diving board on cigarette deck.
6. Remove clothes.
7. Cut another ensign and throw him overboard to make damn sure there ain't no sharks.
8 Go swimming, now I'm IMMERSED! :up:

[CapnDon]

SH4 is a nice respite from responsibilty, but also brings back the feel of being at sea. I spent 28 years in the Navy, 11 of that at sea, although not on submarines. Given that these subs are really submersibles, one spends most of the time on the surface. I enjoy piloting in and out of harbors, particularly harbors I have actually been in - Surabaya, Sasebo, Manila, Subic Bay, San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach, among others.

I spend time learning about the various areas and the history of the war in those areas.

A fantasy of mine is to increase the detail on the nav chart in SH4 with more local names, including points often used for navigation, such as in the Sulu Sea.

Overall, I spend a lot of time just sailing the Pacific Ocean and enjoying the scenery.

As far as the game itself is concerned, I am taking the USS Tambor through the war. I did that once several years ago and am starting over, again. Currently on my second patrol in the boat - early 1942.

[CapnDon]

A favorite pasttime is to watch episodes of Victory at Sea.

[Snarf]

I found that playing aboard a naval vessel on the open sea was great immersion, although being in a stateroom with a laptop and a desk on a supply ship isn't exactly the same as hot bunking in a sub in enemy waters, it certainly adds to the experience.

Great sub books I've read (or re-read) since playing SH4:
Dangerous Ground - Larry bond
Cold Choices - Larry Bond
The Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy
Thunder Below! - Eugene Fluckey
Wahoo - Dick O'Kane
Clear the Bridge! - Dick O'Kane
Silent Running - James Calvert

[Sniper297]

Internet, PC, laptops, cell phones weren't invented yet last time I was at sea, but we did throw the masts and sails overboard to run strictly on steam power. :arrgh!:

[BigWalleye]

Somebody has to use the pun.

For immersion;
1. Find sheltered bay with warm water.
2. Stop engines, drop anchor.
3. Cut junior ensign in several places, throw him overboard.
4. Station lookouts with M-1s on main deck.
5. Rig diving board on cigarette deck.
6. Remove clothes.
7. Cut another ensign and throw him overboard to make damn sure there ain't no sharks.
8 Go swimming, now I'm IMMERSED! :up:

It was a dirty job, but somebody had to do it! :har:

[Sniper297]

Ensigns are expendable. :gulp:

[ReallyDedPoet]

Ensigns are expendable. :gulp:

http://cdn.omg-facts.com/2012/3/31/e873ab86ab8c0a295d2db157bb0bfd0e

[BigWalleye]

Don't put on a red shirt!:rotfl2:

[fireftr18]

I use TC all the time, about 3500 getting where I want and around 1500 patrolling near Jap controlled waters. Yes, I use the lag cheat, but the cheat really isn't in TC, it's in the sonar contact zone where you can take advantage of it yourself..
I don't think of the lag cheat as a cheat, but as a feature to alert me during tc. I think of it as when the sonar operator hears something, but isn't sure. Alerts the captain and continues to monitor the contact until it's confirmed.

[Bubble Head]

I found that playing aboard a naval vessel on the open sea was great immersion, although being in a stateroom with a laptop and a desk on a supply ship isn't exactly the same as hot bunking in a sub in enemy waters, it certainly adds to the experience.

Great sub books I've read (or re-read) since playing SH4:
Dangerous Ground - Larry bond
Cold Choices - Larry Bond
The Hunt for Red October - Tom Clancy
Thunder Below! - Eugene Fluckey
Wahoo - Dick O'Kane
Clear the Bridge! - Dick O'Kane
Silent Running - James Calvert

Great list of books here - just finishing the Hunt for Red October at the moment. Can't believe I managed to go all this time without really reading any Clancy - much better than I thought it would be given his highly populist style.

[Bubble Head]

I use TC all the time, about 3500 getting where I want and around 1500 patrolling near Jap controlled waters. Yes, I use the lag cheat, but the cheat really isn't in TC, it's in the sonar contact zone where you can take advantage of it yourself..

For a relative newb to SH4 could you explain the "lag cheat" to me? :hmmm:

[Bubble Head]

SH4 is a nice respite from responsibilty, but also brings back the feel of being at sea. I spent 28 years in the Navy, 11 of that at sea, although not on submarines. Given that these subs are really submersibles, one spends most of the time on the surface. I enjoy piloting in and out of harbors, particularly harbors I have actually been in - Surabaya, Sasebo, Manila, Subic Bay, San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach, among others.

I spend time learning about the various areas and the history of the war in those areas.

A fantasy of mine is to increase the detail on the nav chart in SH4 with more local names, including points often used for navigation, such as in the Sulu Sea.

Overall, I spend a lot of time just sailing the Pacific Ocean and enjoying the scenery.

As far as the game itself is concerned, I am taking the USS Tambor through the war. I did that once several years ago and am starting over, again. Currently on my second patrol in the boat - early 1942.

Alot of people who are current or ex service men and women on here eh? :rock:

Says a lot about the gaming series if its so widely supported by people with real experience.

[ReallyDedPoet]

SH4 is a nice respite from responsibilty, but also brings back the feel of being at sea. I spent 28 years in the Navy, 11 of that at sea, although not on submarines. Given that these subs are really submersibles, one spends most of the time on the surface. I enjoy piloting in and out of harbors, particularly harbors I have actually been in - Surabaya, Sasebo, Manila, Subic Bay, San Francisco, San Diego, Long Beach, among others.


Just seeing this, very nice :yep::up:

[mobucks]

For a relative newb to SH4 could you explain the "lag cheat" to me? :hmmm:

Hello Bubble Head

The lag cheat occurs when using time compression on the map and you unblinkingly stare at the chronometer (hotkey 'X' in my game) revolutions of the minute or hour hands, waiting for a split second of lag, while your finger hovers over the backspace key to immediately bring the game out of time compression. The clock will "lag" (stop) for a split second, at which point you mash the backspace key to bring time compression back to 1. And who said Silent Hunter wasn't for twitch gamers? Then you manually do a hydrophone sweep and voila!

The lag is caused by an AI unit coming into your sensor range. It's basically when a unit switches from being an invisible icon on the map to a real object in the game world. I recommend anywhere between 512 to 1534 time compression. Any higher and a half hour can happen before you can hit backspace, dependent on levels of grog consumed that evening.

Occasional musing of how a conversation about the current orders or situation might go between me and my officers.

I read this the other day and thought it was neat. Then I found myself doing it during my latest playthrough. Thanks for the inspiration. My crew was very upset with me recently taking big risks and getting a few of them shot.

I do a lot of what people here have listed. Reading about the real thing was probably the most contributing factor to the immersion of my patrols. I try to do things like they were done historically.

For example not using the periscope traveling over a few knots due to vibration.

I never fight airplanes unless submerging is not an option.

Crewmembers get promoted and rotated off my boat to perhaps their own command. They usually have a few medals by then.

A few other things I can't think of right now; It's been a while since I've played and am just getting back into it.

[Bubble Head]

Hello Bubble Head
Any higher and a half hour can happen before you can hit backspace, dependent on levels of grog consumed that evening.

Haha - that's me out then. :woot:

Still - seems a little... dodgy lol - I wondered why it lagged some times when you go to very high TC.

[TorpX]

I've been meaning to try limiting my TC - what is the max you tend to use that you find acceptable?



When I first started, I used pretty high TC (though not in active areas). Last career, I would use maybe 512x in safe areas, 128x in a patrol area. I am going to try 64x max next career.

Some hardy souls have played through a patrol in real-time, but I consider that a bit much. I think 64x will be a good compromise. One would still have some sensation of being bored, having to patiently work through an approach, being excited when you finally find a target, time passing over the length of a patrol, etc. I don't like the pace of going out at warp speed, quickly torpedoing some ships, and teleporting back, in the space of a few hours. It feels too much like a game.

[Bubble Head]

Some hardy souls have played through a patrol in real-time, but I consider that a bit much.

If I played like this it would take me a very long time to finish a patrol - most time I get is about an hour a day to play...:huh:

[Sniper297]

For me it's just a pain in the neck since it works both ways - try TC when you're leaving the area after sinking the entire convoy of 2 passenger liners and 3 escorts, and it wants to jerk and stutter for 20 minutes while it keeps track of course, speed, range and bearing for every lifeboat and carley float you're leaving behind until you're well out of range. Half tempted to turn war criminal and sink every boat and raft, but that would take even longer.

[TG626]

Blasting life boats changes nothing, save for crediting you with another kill worth 1 ton. I think they do sink eventually, but it takes a loooong time. And even then the game is still tracking its descent and location sitting on the bottom....

[Bubble Head]

Blasting life boats changes nothing, save for crediting you with another kill worth 1 ton. I think they do sink eventually, but it takes a loooong time. And even then the game is still tracking its descent and location sitting on the bottom....

I didn't realize you could even do that!

Never thought to do it! :timeout:

[TG626]

I recommend using your AA guns on anything small and unarmed.

[bandit484]

While on a patrol, I read Clay Blair's "Silent Victory". It comes in a 2 volume set. In my opinion it is a must read about the submarine war.:Kaleun_Salute::Kaleun_Salute::Kaleun_Salute:

[Admiral8Q]

While on a patrol, I read Clay Blair's "Silent Victory". It comes in a 2 volume set. In my opinion it is a must read about the submarine war.:Kaleun_Salute::Kaleun_Salute::Kaleun_Salute:

Aye. I'm Not old yet.
:woot:
I hope not anyways.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AkjTGCrLvAU

[Herr Eeguy]

I still own a VCR and watch Run Silent, Run Deep over and over again :arrgh!:

[Sailor Steve]

WELCOME ABOARD! :sunny:

Of course it is available on DVD too. :D

[ReallyDedPoet]

Welcome to SUBSIM Herr Eeguy : )

[bandit484]

Welcome to the Community bud:sunny:

[Herr Eeguy]

Thanks for the greetings.:) I've been here for a couple of years when I purchased SH3 and as you can see I did "some" D/Ling of Mods for that game. I have been reading a lot of post during the span too. Well, I got SH4 off of Amazon and came back to do some Moding of that game and SubSim said uh-uh you need to start posting stuff so (LOL) here I am being talkative. :sunny:

Oh, my screen name?? Guess what !! :k_confused: I'm a bald as a cue ball !!! that's why I named me this, thinking of my glory hippie days!! ROFL - I'm 63 yrs young and still a big gamer :cool:

Nice to meet you all, thanks again for the ww - I love reading all your stories and posts, this IS A FUN and EDUCATIONAL place to be !! (99% of the internet should be jettisoned as flotsam - IMHO)

[Aktungbby]

Herr Eeeguy!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Jimbuna]

Welcome :sunny:

[Friscobay]

IMO, immersion is easier for naval students of the world wars if they are fortunate enough to be close to a body of water big enough to be called a ''sea'', ''gulf'', or ''ocean''. In the US, on the West Coast, the USS Pampanito, a BALAO- class sub which is parked close to the liberty ship JEREMIAH O' BRIEN. Both ships offer ''overnighters'' and weekend duties that include for O'Brien, WWII USO -style dances and canteens with everyone attired in period clothing in the ships massive cargo holds berthed not far from the location of 1954s ''The Caine Mutiny'' in SF.
Deep in the heart of Texas, the sailor history buff heads for the USS TEXAS, which will soon be undergoing yard repairs, where the states museum commission loves it when sailors show up in-uniform, especially period, to man the ships many duty stations. Same deal for LEXINGTON down in Corpus Christi
New York Cities INTREPID, Chicagos ACACIA ( and its famous U-505 ), Bostons CASSIN YOUNG , a WWII FLETCHER-class destroyer, are just a few of the many stateside ''floating museums'' where immersion, history, and educating the public are joined.

[Jimbuna]

Welcome to SubSim Friscobay :sunny:

[Friscobay]

And a big shoutout to the crusty shellbacks and barnacled denizens as well as the newer sideboys for welcoming the newest bilge rat to the SUBSIM community.:)

[ReallyDedPoet]

Welcome : )

[Aktungbby]

Friscobay!:Kaleun_Salute:

[Snarf]

Welcome! Speaking of Shellbacks, have you paid your visit to Neptunus Rex, or are ye still a stinking pollywog?

[Armistead]

Nice to have another mate to scrub the head..

[Sailor Steve]

...crusty shellbacks and barnacled denizens...
Don' be talkin' 'bout me that way...





The truth hurts! :O:




Oh, and WELCOME ABOARD! :sunny:

[Herr Eeguy]

but I go to Y-T (don't know if we are allowed to mention other sites here, but you'll figure it out I'm sure - lol) and follow the Silent Hunter Let's Plays from Effing Controller. Check them out, it's entertaining to watch someone else make a "mess" of things while on tour and this guy is pretty cleaver and funny too, he always picks on himself when things don't go as originally planned (they rarely do in these games). He also has other Let's Play vids too.

Apologies to Subsim authorities if I crossed any "verboten" lines here.

[BigWalleye]

but I go to Y-T (don't know if we are allowed to mention other sites here, but you'll figure it out I'm sure - lol) and follow the Silent Hunter Let's Plays from Effing Controller. Check them out, it's entertaining to watch someone else make a "mess" of things while on tour and this guy is pretty cleaver and funny too, he always picks on himself when things don't go as originally planned (they rarely do in these games). He also has other Let's Play vids too.

Apologies to Subsim authorities if I crossed any "verboten" lines here.

Everybody here, including Uncle Neal, knows that other sites exist and that SubSim afficianados visit them. No biggie.

Forbidden are piracy, ripping others' mods, and flaming. SubSim is all about respect. Give it, get it, give lots to the modder guys who give so much to this community, and don't in any way ssnction stealing of published software. Not at this site anyway.

Did I miss anything, guys?

[ReallyDedPoet]

Everybody here, including Uncle Neal, knows that other sites exist and that SubSim afficianados visit them. No biggie.

Forbidden are piracy, ripping others' mods, and flaming. SubSim is all about respect. Give it, get it, give lots to the modder guys who give so much to this community, and don't in any way ssnction stealing of published software. Not at this site anyway.

Did I miss anything, guys?

That's pretty good :)

Some new folks come to SUBSIM, d\l a bunch of stuff
and are never heard from again. Or ask questions ( which is great and is encouraged ) but do not return the favor.

Give back by helping others :yep:

[Friscobay]

Welcome! Speaking of Shellbacks, have you paid your visit to Neptunus Rex, or are ye still a stinking pollywog?


Aye mate. I won my shellback from His Majesty during the crossing of the Molucca Sea en route to Subic, going over the areas now being patrolled by my old S-18 boat in SH4s Dec.'41 portion where we have been moved to Java.
I was a ''Royal Surveyor'', where, on the deck of a BELKNAP -class DLG/CG, I measured the entire length of the ship on my hands and knees without losing count as I was being whacked on the rear by SB tars, using a ''standard navy hotdog'' [ about 6'' in length ], and singing out the length as I went.

I know to this day that the BELKNAP Class cruiser measures just over 1,095 hotdog lengths from bow to stern.

[Friscobay]

Nice to have another mate to scrub the head..


Nice doggie. Have a hotdog..:)

[Friscobay]

Don' be talkin' 'bout me that way...





The truth hurts! :O:




Oh, and WELCOME ABOARD! :sunny:


Thank 'ee mates. With such an august crew though, I can only calls 'em as I sees 'em..:sunny:

[Friscobay]

That's pretty good :)

Some new folks come to SUBSIM, d\l a bunch of stuff
and are never heard from again. Or ask questions ( which is great and is encouraged ) but do not return the favor.

Give back by helping others :yep:


Aye. You are sadly right. I have been in WWII and Civil War living history for over two decades and never got into it with the idea of gaining anything more than an increase in, and sharing of, knowledge along with the camaraderie . This is why when I wanted to more closely pursue my long interest with naval history I had to come to the best. It truly is more than just the games. Thousands of vets from all of the allied and axis nations are dying every day. An outfit such as this takes up the baton in carrying their voices and their history from their mods to discussions, long after they are gone. Such actions deserve thanks , which we see too little of these days as it is, instead of exploitation.

That's just my two pence.:hmm2:

[Sniper297]

"Chicagos ACACIA ( and its famous U-505 )" I was born in Chicago and lived most of my life there, toured the U-505 many times - at The Museum of Science and Industry. Sears Tower is now Willis Tower, Comiskey Park is US Cellular Field, don't tell me they renamed The Museum of Science and Industry something else too? What's "ACACIA"?

Anyway when I was a kid the USS Silversides was tied up behind a destroyer escort (Daniel A Joy) at the Naval Armory (used to be on East Randolph St) so I got a tour of an actual US fleet boat, as well as a newer GUPPY class in the early 60s at Navy Pier.
I really don't need to immerse anything to get in the mood for SH4, submarines were my earliest passion and still the strongest. Enlistment was a tug of war between submarines and my later passion for flying, so I ended up being an Aviation AntiSubmarine Warfare Tech so I could fly and still play with submarines.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Aye. You are sadly right. I have been in WWII and Civil War living history for over two decades and never got into it with the idea of gaining anything more than an increase in, and sharing of, knowledge along with the camaraderie . This is why when I wanted to more closely pursue my long interest with naval history I had to come to the best. It truly is more than just the games. Thousands of vets from all of the allied and axis nations are dying every day. An outfit such as this takes up the baton in carrying their voices and their history from their mods to discussions, long after they are gone. Such actions deserve thanks , which we see too little of these days as it is, instead of exploitation.

That's just my two pence.:hmm2:

Nicely said :up:

[Jimbuna]

Everybody here, including Uncle Neal, knows that other sites exist and that SubSim afficianados visit them. No biggie.

Forbidden are piracy, ripping others' mods, and flaming. SubSim is all about respect. Give it, get it, give lots to the modder guys who give so much to this community, and don't in any way ssnction stealing of published software. Not at this site anyway.

Did I miss anything, guys?

Pretty much covers the SubSim position on editorial policies and stance on warez, piracy and language:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/faq.php?faq=vb_faq#faq_rules3_faq_item

[Snarf]

Aye mate. I won my shellback from His Majesty during the crossing of the Molucca Sea en route to Subic, going over the areas now being patrolled by my old S-18 boat in SH4s Dec.'41 portion where we have been moved to Java.
I was a ''Royal Surveyor'', where, on the deck of a BELKNAP -class DLG/CG, I measured the entire length of the ship on my hands and knees without losing count as I was being whacked on the rear by SB tars, using a ''standard navy hotdog'' [ about 6'' in length ], and singing out the length as I went.

I know to this day that the BELKNAP Class cruiser measures just over 1,095 hotdog lengths from bow to stern.

:haha: From the sound of it Neptune must be well pleased with you, a job well done :salute:

[Friscobay]

"Chicagos ACACIA ( and its famous U-505 )" I was born in Chicago and lived most of my life there, toured the U-505 many times - at The Museum of Science and Industry. Sears Tower is now Willis Tower, Comiskey Park is US Cellular Field, don't tell me they renamed The Museum of Science and Industry something else too? What's "ACACIA"?

Anyway when I was a kid the USS Silversides was tied up behind a destroyer escort (Daniel A Joy) at the Naval Armory (used to be on East Randolph St) so I got a tour of an actual US fleet boat, as well as a newer GUPPY class in the early 60s at Navy Pier.
I really don't need to immerse anything to get in the mood for SH4, submarines were my earliest passion and still the strongest. Enlistment was a tug of war between submarines and my later passion for flying, so I ended up being an Aviation AntiSubmarine Warfare Tech so I could fly and still play with submarines.


Chicago was host to ACACIA [WLB -406 ], a WWII USCGS buoy tender commissioned in 1944 and outfitted with a 20mm, one 3'' deck gun, and depth charges from 2007 to 2009 where 86th Ave and the lake meet. However, I overlooked the fact that ACACIA was moved again to Michigan, this time according to the USCG, her home being, since Nov.2009, in Manistee where she serves as a ''floating museum''. My own naval service was more routine, that being the Machinists Mate ''snipe'' of the engine rooms underworld. The ''hole'' variety as opposed to ''A-gangers''. Thus ''bilge rat'' was never taken as an insult having seen plenty of them during my enlistment.:03:

[Raider M]

For immersion I found "Diesel Boats Forever" by Tommy Cox on Youtube and placed an icon/link to it next to my desktop icon for starting SH4. I click on DBF and listen to it while SH4 loads. Take her deep, take her down! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffvXHo0uJd4

[Admiral8Q]

For immersion I found "Diesel Boats Forever" by Tommy Cox on Youtube and placed an icon/link to it next to my desktop icon for starting SH4. I click on DBF and listen to it while SH4 loads. Take her deep, take her down! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ffvXHo0uJd4

Awesome music vid! :yeah:

[CaptainRamius]

I recently ordered this book:

http://www.submarinebaseph.com/ThunderBelow1.jpg

Have also watched a number of documentaries, including this great one:
Here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uSjKT8JPQAc)

Ooh, the Galloping Ghost of the China Ghost!
Best US sub ever! :up: :salute: :up:

[Captain Jeff]

The war patrol reports from the American subs in WW2 are all declassified and can be found online. I've read a great many of them already. Fascinating stuff. It's interesting to read about the boring patrols where they didn't find anything, the glory patrols where they racked up the tonnage and everything in between.

I've recently left Pearl on my first war patrol in SH4. (Only ever played SH1 before this) I read the war patrol reports for the USS Plunger and the USS Pollack before I started my first career. I'm going to try to mimic the route of the USS Plunger. USS Pollack was a little further north than my initial patrol assignment but USS Plunger wasn't that far away from it. I hope I have better luck. USS Plunger took a pretty severe depth charging on her first patrol!!!

I'm almost at my destination and getting ready to patrol. I haven't gone over 125 TC on the way out. I'm new so I did some training dives almost every day while en route. Here's hoping I can give a little payback for what happened to Battleship Row!!!

[Spraug]

Hi Jeff, that's pretty interesting, what you write about the patrol reports. Do you have a link?

Thanks

[CaptainRamius]

:haha: From the sound of it Neptune must be well pleased with you, a job well done :salute:

I wonder why....he's blessed with the gift of telling how long an object is in hotdogs :D

[Fish40]

Hi Jeff, that's pretty interesting, what you write about the patrol reports. Do you have a link?

Thanks

Here ya go:
http://www.hnsa.org/resources/manuals-documents/submarine-war-reports/

[Rockin Robbins]

Ooh, the Galloping Ghost of the China Ghost!
Best US sub ever! :up: :salute: :up:
Here's my copy!
http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/aa293/RockinRobbins13/Silent%20Hunter%204/100_7762.jpg

Immerse yourself and feel our pulse indeed! Barb was the #1 boat of the war, no holds barred. And it did it when other boats returned empty-handed. Though it all Captain Fluckey's greatest award was no Purple Hearts earned by any of his crew. He brought them through without a scratch.

[fitzcarraldo]

Here's my copy!


Immerse yourself and feel our pulse indeed! Barb was the #1 boat of the war, no holds barred. And it did it when other boats returned empty-handed. Though it all Captain Fluckey's greatest award was no Purple Hearts earned by any of his crew. He brought them through without a scratch.

I have a Fluckey photo with the Barb, authentic autograph!!! I bought it in Chicago many years ago (when I played SH1...).

Best regards.

Fitzcarraldo :salute:

[CaptainRamius]

Though it all Captain Fluckey's greatest award was no Purple Hearts earned by any of his crew. He brought them through without a scratch.

No Purple Hearts! That's must've been extremely difficult to get that done, yet so satisfying. Oh wait. This is real life. HOLY COW!
:salute: respect :salute:

[Captain Jeff]

Hi Jeff, that's pretty interesting, what you write about the patrol reports. Do you have a link?

Thanks

I'm really bad at posting links. Maybe someone else can post one. The site I go to is maritime dot org. They list the subs by name, or by number for the S boats, and the links on their page take you to microfiche copies of the patrol reports. The reports are hosted by Scribd so you might be able to find them there as well. I do a Google search for "WW2 submarine patrol reports" and maritime comes up at the top of the page but there are other sites who also post some patrol reports.

Be careful when you go to these sites. The reports are very interesting and you might find yourself reading them for hours!!! I certainly have. One of the first things I've learned from reading these reports is that almost every patrol had some sort of equipment malfunction that had to be repaired at sea. Those who carry the wrench must have been as important as the torpedo team on the subs.

[Fish40]

I posted the link a few posts ago (#76):yep:

[Spraug]

... yeah, reading helps, I guess. Thanks for posting the link.