The unsinkable tanker

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

On patrol in the North Atlantic, I recieved report of a nearby convoy. I give chase and manage an intercept at 0036 or so.

Proceeding from there, I mark the largest ships in the convoy: a large depot ship and large tanker. I fire two fish at each and wait. A minute later, three explosions are heard, followed shortly thereafter by torpedo missed message. Inspecting my work, I see a sinking depot ship and an immobilized tanker. I dive deep, avoiding the escorts and letting the convoy go.

At dawn, I surface and fire my remaining deck gun ammo. When that fails, two more fish are sent, both magnetic. Both hit amidships, but ten minutes later, not even a slight list has developed. I get ticked off somewhere in the next half hour.

In the end, 10 torpedoes and 23 105mm shells were expended uselessly, along with two poorly aimed Luftwaffe bombs.

A waste of ammo? Yes. But since when are tankers built to withstand that punishment?

Ideas?

[Zosimus]

More info. Version? Mods? GWX?

[Raptor]

Would your torpedo mechanic's name just happen to be Bernard? :hmmm:

[Sailor Steve]

From real life: USS Whale (SS-239), second war patrol, January 17, 1943, Lt. Cmdr. John B. Azer.

Fired three torpedoes. Three hits. One hit aft of his stack, the second blew wreckage up through forward hold and the third hit aft. Target started turning toward us. Swung hard right and set up for a stern shot.

Fired single stern shot at range of 600 yards. Hit aft. This was a good hit, stopping the target cold. The target was sinking by the stern, taking considerable port list. Took pictures, firmly convinced this was the graveyard of another Japanese ship. Many of the crew had an opportunity to view the sinking ship through the periscope.

Having worked up to windward to observe target better, was astonished to find the fire under control and the list corrected. Water was being pumped over the side through portable hoses. Fired another torpedo from the stern tube, but this missed. Target was dead in the water, shooting wildly with deck guns.

Crew and passengers abandoned ship, although gun crew remained at posts. Target settled about ten feet overall and then maintained its depth. Closed and fired sixth torpedo from bow tubes. This hit aft of superstructure depth.

Target still floating. Fired seventh torpedo from bow tubes. This hit with terrific concussion, but did not change trim or draft appreciably. Fired eighth torpedo from stern tubes. This was heard to hit, but very little concussion was felt.

Getting dark. Target sinking slowly on an even keel, but still looks salvageable. There was no sign of life aboard, although it was believed gun crews had not yet abandoned ship. Wishing to dispose of it before arrival of planes or rescue ships, fired ninth torpedo. This hit right under stack and the explosion ripped away both sides of vessel about ten feet below the main deck.

Target now settled more rapidly, the main deck being a few feet from wash condition at last observation. This vessel had absorbed seven and possibly eight torpedo hits. The cargo must have been of such nature as to prevent her from sinking more rapidly. Target was identified as the Heiyou Maru, 9,815 tons.

On retiring we found ourselves in the midst of eight boats full of survivors, approximately fifty men to each boat. These men were dressed in both white and blue uniforms. One boat was passed close aboard, and survivors made ready to hit the periscope with their oars.

[Von Tonner]

Thanks for that Sailor Steve. I love reading true excerpts from submarine patrols. When one does one finds that many issues one has with the game truly happened. Be it a coastal freighter not sinking after one torp to a tanker not sinking after 10. All of these scenarios can occur in the game as they truly happened to real captains during the war - and for me ads a huge realism factor to the game as nothing can be taken as a given.

[Pisces]

Did you hit the same spot each time? Was the periscope locked at the time of firing? Or did you try to hit different parts on the hull?

Deckgun should have atleast done some flooding if you aimed at different places below the waterline. (in GWX)

[banryu79]

Most impressive! :o


On retiring we found ourselves in the midst of eight boats full of survivors, approximately fifty men to each boat. These men were dressed in both white and blue uniforms. One boat was passed close aboard, and survivors made ready to hit the periscope with their oars.
I want oars hit on the scope from survivors modeled in the game! :D

[maillemaker]

I want oars hit on the scope from survivors modeled in the game!

I've been tempted to go find the sound file that plays "Help!" for the lifeboats and replace it with, "German scum! Up yours! Screw you!" etc. etc. :)

Steve

[Kaptlt.Endrass]

I'm playing GWX Gold with SH3 Commander, nothing else.

The torpedoes were almost all TIIs, with one or two TIs.

Bernard does happen to be on my boat, but as a spare man for repair/flak/deck gun business.

@Pisces: The shots were nearly all consistent with each other in terms of impact location. The first salvo after surfacing, however, was aimed at the fuel bunkers and engine rooms.

[Uboat177]

Similar experience with me a long time ago (gwx but also with MFM included). 6- 10 torpedoes and this one ship wouldn't sink. Was finally able to finish off with deck gunfire, and that took a while as well.

Perhaps aiming for keel shots or magnetic explosions/deckgun hits near it would be more effective.

I recommend adding thedarkwraith's Unit damage from smoke and/or fires mod and see if that helps in making it any easier. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1610933&postcount=1

i believe in stock game + gwx the ships don't take hp loss from fires.

[Zosimus]

Similar experience with me a long time ago (gwx but also with MFM included). 6- 10 torpedoes and this one ship wouldn't sink. Was finally able to finish off with deck gunfire, and that took a while as well.

Perhaps aiming for keel shots or magnetic explosions/deckgun hits near it would be more effective.

I recommend adding thedarkwraith's Unit damage from smoke and/or fires mod and see if that helps in making it any easier. http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1610933&postcount=1

i believe in stock game + gwx the ships don't take hp loss from fires.

The link didn't work for me.

[Uboat177]

The link didn't work for me.

Hello,

See if this works:

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=180921

Also, direct gamefront d/l link:

http://www.gamefront.com/files/20131678/TDW_Ship_Plane_Fire_Damage_v1_4_SH3_7z

[Zosimus]

Upon clicking the link, I saw the screen 403 - Forbidden.

[Uboat177]

Upon clicking the link, I saw the screen 403 - Forbidden.

It could be a anti pop up/firewall program or that your country is blocked from downloading on gamefront. Try Maik's serious sh3 mod archive ( ftp server), and in the directory find it under 'the dark wraith'.

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2221874&postcount=283