The Old Sailor's New Patrol Logs

[Sailor Steve]

This is the second time I've used that title, and I don't know how many times I've started over with SH3. Thanks to a new computer for the first time I'll be playing the game the way I've long dreamed of it, decked out to the max.

As is my habit I'll be running four separate careers side by side. The first two will be from Wilhelmshaven starting August 19th, 1939; one in a Type VIIa and one in a Type IX. After that will be one from the 1st Flotilla at Kiel in a Type II and the other from the 7th, also Kiel, in a Type VIIb. After that I'll be adding careers in SH4 and maybe SH5. We'll see.

On the one hand it's more realistic to play one character at a time, but this is a habit I developed in my SH1 days, and I can't seem to shake it.

My starting Mod List:

Permanently Installed:
GWX 3.0
Hardcode Fixes - h.sie
GWX 3 Wil, St Naz and Schluese and other units v7 - Bigboywooly
Remove GWX Compass - ichso
Simfeeling 6-Dials Mod - FLB-Sale_U-999
Anschütz Kompass - Leitender
New Interiors 2.1D - FlakMonkey
(replaces Diving Duck's Open Hatch mod)
Open Hatch Conning Deck Cam Fix - Diving Duck
TMTv2+ThomsensShips v4.4 for GWX3+Xtra Ships
Assisted Plotting Mod - Observer
Waterstream+Exhaust Kombimod v2.3 - Rubini/Racerboy/h.sie
Lifeboats & Debris v4 - Rubini/Privateer
SH4 Maptools for SH3 - Latemail
GWX DFa Flags and Pennants 2010 - Anvart
FM30_UpDown - Anvart
FM NI Fix for FM30 UpDown - FlakMonkey
h.sie's Colored Hull Integrity Indicator
New Lorient - Alfred Keitzer

Sound My Way - From several sound mods:
Das Boot Sound Mod SH3 - Sailor Steve, based on 'Projeckt Schwertfisch', by the SH2 modders
DBSM SH3 Speech Fix - Sailor Steve
Ultimate Aircraft Sounds - AOTD_MadMax
Spirit of Machines - Einbecker
Torpedo Fire (German) v1.02 - Ktl_KUrtz

Das Boot Officers - AILantic
Small Moon - AILantic
No Rank on Crew - Dertien
Das Boot Clothes - lafeeverted
Clean Nav Map - Don't know
English-To-German Names - Phoenix3000
Historically Accurate U-Boat Emblems - Conus
Halo Not Visible Through Body - Anvart
Port People - Pascal
Realistic Blueprint Damage Screens - Pascal
Remove Station Labels
SH3 Color Icons - Capt. Teach
Modified Searchlight Beams - OneLifeCrisis
U-Boat Bases Map with New St. Nazaire - meduza
Head 04 Fix - Anvart
SH3 Officer Faces
Aces' Modified Headphones
Aces' Crew On Deck Stand Alone GWX
Clearsky Clouds - Rubini
A-I Class Destroyers - The Frog
J-Z Class Destroyers - The Frog
SH4 Effects for SH3 - Racerboy/TheDarkWraith
Torpedo Damage Final - Ocean Blue
Tuddley's Barracks Screen
Rick's Alternate Rec Manual - Rik007
GWX Turm Lights Fix - Privateer/Jimbuna
KB's Diesel Sound Mod - kristenburnout
No Continuous 'Ship Spotted'
Torpedoraum Typ II - MCHALO12
New Freecam Mod - Asanovic7
Seabed Repair Mod - Mikhayl
Searchlights Removed - schlechter pfennig
Wooden_Lifeboats_Mod-1.1 - Iambecomelife


JSGME:
SH5 Water for GWX 0.9 20 Km - Rik007
Type VIIa Features - Wreford-Brown
VIIB Early War Skin - Sledgehammer427
Type IIb AI Camo - Sean (changed to IIA)

SH3 Commander:
Ship Names Mod - Sailor Steve
Loading Screens Mod - Sailor Steve
Variable Trim, Variable Torpedo Depth, Variable BdU Judgment on Neutral Sinkings - all by BigWalleye

Always reinstall My SH3 Files
Cameras
Commands_en
Dials
EngNames.cfg
Menu_1024_768.ini

Tools
SH3 Commander - JScones
SH3 Weather - Sqweetis
SH3 Contacts - Nicolás

I have the first campaign all set to go. I've run a 'false' patrol, just to lock the career into Commander, qualified all my petty officers and assigned the sailors to specific teams, and we're waiting for orders.

[Admiral Halsey]

That variable BDU judgment on neutrals looks interesting. I'm guessing it randomizes whether you get a penalty from sinking a neutral vessel?

[BigWalleye]

That variable BDU judgment on neutrals looks interesting. I'm guessing it randomizes whether you get a penalty from sinking a neutral vessel?

Actually, it's a bit gentler than that. Based on my reading of Blair, there was historically no case of a U-boat commander being disciplined for sinking a neutral. The main question was whether the tonnage would be credited to his score. Generally, it was.

IIRC, there was one case of a commander sinking a neutral and causing an awkward diplomatic situation. According to Blair, the Kaleun in question was a Queeg and held in low regard by his brother officers. Dönitz was planning to have him court martialed, but the guy got himself - and his entire crew - killed first.

To avoid the temptation to shoot first and ask questions later, I made things just a bit rougher than historically correct. I reasoned that, early in the war, it would not be known how BdU would react to sinking a neutral. It was possible that they might react more strongly than they did, so early-war there is a chance that you will be penalized, even though that never actually happened. After the first 4 months, though, the only question is whether you will get credit. By 1942, you can pretty much count on getting the benefit of the doubt.

Copy and paste the section below at the end of the file

<SH3_Cmdr>\Cfg\Randomized events.cfg

;--------------------BdU REVIEWS NEUTRAL SINKING

[NEU0:data\Cfg\Basic.cfg]
ApplyToPeriod=19390101|19400131
ChooseFrom=5
RndMidPat=1
0_RENOWN|NEUTRAL=-1
1_RENOWN|NEUTRAL=0
2_RENOWN|NEUTRAL=0
;-------------------------
[NEU1:data\Cfg\Basic.cfg]
ApplyToPeriod=19400201|19401231
ChooseFrom=5
RndMidPat=1
0_RENOWN|NEUTRAL=0
1_RENOWN|NEUTRAL=0
;------------------------------
[NEU2:data\Cfg\Basic.cfg]
ApplyToPeriod=19410101|19411231
ChooseFrom=5
RndMidPat=1
0_RENOWN|NEUTRAL=0
;------------------------------------
[NEU3:data\Cfg\Basic.cfg]
ApplyToPeriod=19420101|19451231
ChooseFrom=10
RndMidPat=1
0_RENOWN|NEUTRAL=0

;--------------------end BdU REVIEWS NEUTRAL SINKING

[Sailor Steve]

Did you not also tell me to set my SH3/Data/Cfg/Basic renown to

[RENOWN]
RenownReachGridObjCompleted=0
RenownPatrolGridObjCompleted=0
CompletedPatrol=0
NEUTRAL=1
ALLIED=1
AXIS=-1*
WrongShipSunk=-5000
FirstRankRenown=100
SecondRankRenown=350
EndCampaign=-5000

*I also set my AXIS to -1 rather than -10 on the basis that while every kaleun who sank a friendly ship was tried, every one of them were also exonerated. I didn't want to get away free, so I made it -1 rather than 0.

[BigWalleye]

Did you not also tell me to set my SH3/Data/Cfg/Basic renown to

[RENOWN]
RenownReachGridObjCompleted=0
RenownPatrolGridObjCompleted=0
CompletedPatrol=0
NEUTRAL=1
ALLIED=1
AXIS=-1*
WrongShipSunk=-5000
FirstRankRenown=100
SecondRankRenown=350
EndCampaign=-5000

*I also set my AXIS to -1 rather than -10 on the basis that while every kaleun who sank a friendly ship was tried, every one of them were also exonerated. I didn't want to get away free, so I made it -1 rather than 0.

Thanks, Steve. Forgot about that.

[RushTheBus]

Nice setup Steve. Looks really extensive! Hope to hear how it works out from you, ill be keeping an eye here! :salute:

[Sailor Steve]

And...maybe not. I loaded it up for the first real patrol, and 30 minutes later the bar hadn't moved through the half-way point. I used Task Manager to check it, and it said "Not Responding". I got out of it and tried to load it without Commander. Crashed. I tried it with Commander again, and, running out of patience, only waited 20 minutes this time.

I'm going to dump the career and start another one to see what happens. Tomorrow is blues night, so I probably won't do it until Tuesday. If I decide there's too much of a load I'll probably start over from scratch and dump New Interiors. They are fun to look at but not vital.

We'll see what happens.

[RConch]

Good luck Steve! I know it has been a long time coming to fully enjoy the simulation.:salute:

[Sailor Steve]

After re-installing everything again I've started a new career. U-31, a Type VIIA under the command of Erwin Albrecht, was one of 14 boats to depart several ports on August 19, 1939. Under FdU orders not to use the English Channel, U-31 sailed up the North Sea and around the north end of the British Isles, then south to the area west of the Channel. U-31's latest position report indicates that the boat arrived at BF18 on September 1st, the same day Poland attacked the German border.

Two game sessions of about two hours each, and so far everything is running fine.

[Sailor Steve]

From: U-31
To: FdU

1939.9.9

0930 Sank British freighter 'Cairn' type 5000 tons.

[CCIP]

Great to sea you at sea and sinking things once again!

[Sailor Steve]

Well, I ran into some trouble with uncontrollable diving. It seems to be fixed now, but the career is starting over. Again.

[Sailor Steve]

It took me some time to iron out my "final" problems (hope hope hope), but I finally got underway again. It took awhile to actually play a whole patrol. No complaints there. I don't care how long it takes as long as I'm having fun, and I was definitely having fun this time. :D It took me three days to transcribe my handwritten log. All that said, here is my first patrol of my first new career. I'm using Wreford-Brown's Type VIIa Features mod, so my top speed is 17 knots and I only have 11 torpedoes.

Log of Oberleutnant Hans Art, U-Bootflotille Salzwedel, Wilhelmshaven. U-Boot type VIIa, U-27.

19.8.39
1132: Departed Wilhelmshaven.
1157: Exited Wilhelmshaven locks.
1208: Passed outer buoy. Set speed 7 kts for cruising.
1424: Exited Jade into North Sea. Opened orders - we are to patrol grid BF16, south of Ireland.
1800: Entered time zone GMT. Set clocks to 1700.

20.8.39
1030: AN6663. Course 332, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 4 m/s, Waves 2 m.

21.8.39
1030: AN3483. Course 332, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 5 m/s, Waves 2m.

22.8.39
1030: AN2836. Course 332, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 6 m.

23.8.39
1030: AN2228. Course 290, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 3 m.

24.8.39
1030: AF7819. Course 250, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2 m.

25.8.39
1030: AN1129. Course 250, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.

26.8.39
1030: AM3427. Course 250, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 4 m.

27.8.39
0220: Entered Time Zone GMT -1. Set clocks to 0120.
0930: AM2541. Course 250, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 4 m.

28.8.39
0930: AM0242. Course 207, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 6 m.

29.8.39
0930: AM5478. Course 207, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 7 m.

30.8.39
0930: AM7692. Course 180, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 4 m. Off the west coast of Ireland now, heading south.

31.8.39
0930: BF1162. Course 110, 5 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 6, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 4 m.
1458: Lookouts have sighted ship.
1505: Heavy tanker, 11,000 tons.
1747: Passed about 15 km in front of us.
1556: Lost sight of him.
2024: Sighted another ship.
2050: Modern-type tanker, 7500 tons, range about 11 km.
2114: Passed in front, 9 km.

1.9.39
0117: Lost sight of tanker.
0148: Entered BF1611. Set slow speed for patrolling.
0930: BF1613. Course 090, 4 kts. Scattered Clouds, Sea 5, Wind 8 m/s, Waves 2 m.
1735: FdU: War with Poland.
1818: Time zone Change. This line crosses patrol grid. Leaving clocks at GMT -1.
1902: Ship sighted.
1905: I don't see him. Neither do they.
1945: Another storm moving in.

2.9.39
0930: BF1666. Course 180, 2 kts. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6 m.
1529: Ship sighted.
1635: Lost sight. Never close enough to identify.

3.9.39
0111: FdU: War with Britain!
0930: BF1687. Course270, 2 kts. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 5 m.
1312: OKM: Prize rules are to be followed. IN THIS WEATHER?!!!
1653: War with France - defensive tactics only.

4.9.39
0930: BF1611. Course 000, 2 kts. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6 m.
1100: FdU: Passenger ships off limits.

5.9.39
0405: Lookouts report ship. Set course to investigate, full speed.
0411: Matrose Wendel "thought" he saw something.
0414: Now another report. I see nothing.
0422: Another report. Now I see it too.
0423: Gone again. Whatever it is, it's small.
0425: It's a patrol boat of some kind. Order dive to 20 meters.
0429: No sound contact. Maintaining depth, returning to patrol course.
0630: Surface.
0930: BF1692. Course 127, 2 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, wind 21 m/s, Waves 7 m.
2316: Weather slacking off rapidly. Another patrol boat sighted.
2352: He's back! Only 1500 meters away! Crash dive!

6.9.39
0006: Sound has a contact. Freighter at long range. Order ahead 1/3.
0020: Contact moving north.
0045: Still tracking him. No patrol boat sounds. Surfacing.
0046: There he is! 12 degrees! Ahead Standard.
0057: Freighter, Clan Allen class - 6300 tons.
0113: Racing to get into position. Can see his flag - British.
0122: Fired tube 1. Torpedo exploded before reaching target.
0123: Fired tube 2, set to run deeper. This one hit!
0125: Target slowing.
0134: Target stopped. Crew abandoning ship.
0514: After 4 hours target still not sinking. Sky growing light. Patrol boats may be about. Going for second shot.
0523: Fired tube 3. Nice big explosion.
0558: Target sank. BF2444.
0600: Diving to 50 meters to reload torpedoes.
0915: Surfacing for position report.
0930: BF2411. Course 285, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2 m. One ship sunk. 8 torpedoes left.
1332: Sighted patrol boat. Dive to 30 m.
1342: Sound contact - freighter.
1405: After tracking for 20 minutes, surfacing for a look.
1430: Spotted another patrol boat. Diving again.
1455: Sound contact - freighter. Surfacing.
1510: Still no freighter. Sighted another patrol boat. Dive to 20 m.
1512: Two freighter sound contacts. Surfacing again.
1521: Sighted freighter this time.
1522: Silveray class - 4200 tons.
1524: British flag.
1538: Fired tubes 1 & 3. Both hit.
1541: Target stopped.
1550: Target sank by stern. Diving to 50 meters to reload.
1630: Surfaced.
2000: OKM: War with South Africa.

7.9.39
0021: Lookouts report ship.
0238: Another sighting.
0245: Patrol boat. He doesn't see us.
0930: BF1655. Course 240, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 2 m/s, Waves 0.25 m. Two ships sunk. 6 torpedoes left.
1215: FdU: Capital warships off limits.
2235: Lookouts report ship. Good weather, starlit night, some clouds.
2310: Identified as Ikauna class freighter.
2345: Danish flag - neutral. Stopping to inspect papers and cargo.

8.9.39
0038: All in order. Letting him go.
0843: Ship sighted.
0850: Definitely a freighter.
0900: Anshun class - 3400 tons.
0901: He's seen us! Trying to run!
0930: Range 1600 meters. Time for some deck gun practice.
0935: Target already listing, coming to stop.
0938: Ceased fire. 29 rounds expended. 2 missed. 27 hits. Congratulated Bootsmann August Möller on his good shooting.
1000: Interrogated captain. SS Amiénois, 3494 tons. Despite the shelling all his crew are safe.
1217: SS Amiénois sank.
1600: Weather steadily growing worse.
2218: Ship sighted.
2240: Mount Kyllene class freighter - 3350 tons.
2259: Dutch neutrality markings. Sea too heavy to stop them and check.

9.9.39
0930: BF1645. Course 137, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 2 m. 3 ships sunk. 8 torpedoes left.

10.9.39
0534: Lookouts report smoke column.
0542: Looks small.
0545: It's a trawler, obviously armed. Ordered crash dive.
0547: Leveled off at 65 m. Ordered silent run.
0618: Lost contact.
0700: Came to periscope depth.
0705: Sea is clear. Surfaced.
0930: BF1622. Course 140, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 2 m.
1007: Ship sighted.
1115: Lost sight.
2000: OKM: War with Canada.

11.9.39
0254: Ship sighted.
0321: Glenapp class freighter - 9000 tons. Range about 7000 meters.
0324: Making 10 kts. Weather has calmed somewhat.
0405: Getting into position.
0409: Definitely British flag.
0412: Fired tubes 1&3. #1 explodes early. Firing tube 2.
0413: #3 hit! #2 missed. Firing tube 4!
0414 #4 hit.
0424: Target sank by the bow.
0930: BF1699. course 000, 4 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 1, Wind 1 m/s, Waves 0.1 m. 4 ships sunk, 2 torpedoes left.
2332: Ship sighted.
2352: Can see it's a merchant.
2356: Thiokepasti class freighter - 3450 tons.

12.9.39
0008: Norwegian flag. Neutral.
0303: Ship sighted.
0316: Heading away fast. Unable to identify.
0930: BF1667. Course 225, 4 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0 m.

13.9.39
0728: Ship sighted.
0739: Patrol boat. Dive to 30 m.
0930: BF1625. Course 000, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0 m.

14.9.39
0930: BF1674. Course 000, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 4 m.

15.9.39
0728: FdU: We are ordered to return home.
0930: BF1378. Course 285, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 4 m.

16.9.39
0930: BF1125. Course 287, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 12 m/s, Waves 3 m.

17.9.39
0930: AM8174. Course 000, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 12 m/s, Waves 3 m.
1100: Russia has invaded Poland.

18.9.39
0930: AM5177. Course 000, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 3 m.

19.9.39
0930: AM2871. Course 047, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 3 m.

20.9.39
0930: AM3375. Course 070, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 7, wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.
2335: Time zone change, now in GMT 0. Set clocks to 0035.

21.9.39
1030: AM3414. Course 070, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.

22.9.39
1030: AM1144. Course 071, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 5 m/s, Waves 0.6 m.
2009: Ship sighted.
2010: Giving off heavy black smoke. Coal fired.
2022: Bamora class freighter - 3400 tons.
2035: Norwegian neutrality markings.
2040: Freighter stopped. Lt. Pschierer leads boarding party.
2057: IWO returns, reports papers good. SS Senta, 3356 tons, carrying a cargo of tobacco from Norfolk to Brevik.

23.9.39
1030: AF7767. Course 071, 5 kts. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 3 m.

24.9.39
1030: AF7821. Course 090, 5 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.

25.9. 39
1030: AF7912. Course 090, 5 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.

26.9.39
1030: AF8714. Course 090, 5 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.

27.9.39
1030 AN2339. Course 155, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2 m.

28.9.39
1030: AN3188. Course 155, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2 m.

29.9.39
1030: AN6363. Course 147, 5 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 4 m.

30.9.39
0415: Crossed time zone, now GMT +1. Set clocks for 0315.
1122: Entered Jade.
1509: Tied up at Dock.
　
　
Days At Sea: 43
Damage sustained: None
Torpedoes Expended: 9
Deck Gun Ammunition Expended: 29
Ships sunk: 4
Tonnage sunk: 23,245
BF2444: SS Oregon, 6313 tons. Cargo - foodstuffs. Crew 63. Survived 10 (53 lost).
BF1655: SS Perrakis L. Cambanis, 4347 tons. Cargo Copper ore. Crew 47. Survived 47 (0 lost).
BF1645: SS Amiénois, 3494 tons. Cargo General. Crew 46. Survived 46 (0 lost).
BF1977: SS Nagara, 9091 tons. Cargo Iron ore. Crew 93. Survived 85 (10 lost).

[Gunnarr]

(PATROL LOG)

That was fun to read :ping:

So you write everything down yourself on paper?? Also, for stopping merchants and searching, is this sort of a role playing thing or a mod? (I don't have the slightest idea how one could code a way to have a ship stop to be searched. I know that is what you are realistically supposed to do though). Also another question, is one of your mods showing when people are evacuating ship? Or something just write in patrol logs for immersion (I like to imagine them evacuating too) I swear they evacuated in one of these games as a kid... maybe it was SH4?

[Sailor Steve]

That was fun to read :ping:
Thank you. Some people think a straight log is boring. I've always liked reading them. Of course I like the story versions too.

So you write everything down yourself on paper??
Yep. :yep: It's the only way I can remember the details.

Also, for stopping merchants and searching, is this sort of a role playing thing or a mod? (I don't have the slightest idea how one could code a way to have a ship stop to be searched. I know that is what you are realistically supposed to do though).
Strictly role-playing. If I want to give them time to abandon ship I'll just parallel his course for 15-20 minutes, then go ahead and sink him. Of course there's no way to simulate scuttling charges. It has to be torpedo or gun.

Before we had working gates on the canal locks I used to stop in the lock for five minutes or so, just to simulate having to wait. Stupid, I know, but I've been playing sub sims so long that just going and sinking stuff got boring a long time ago.

Also another question, is one of your mods showing when people are evacuating ship? Or something just write in patrol logs for immersion (I like to imagine them evacuating too) I swear they evacuated in one of these games as a kid... maybe it was SH4?
Not that I recall. For me it's just all in my head. :sunny:

[Sailor Steve]

I've said in the past that ever since my SH1 days I've been in the habit of running simultaneous careers from all available squadrons/flotillas. This is my second new career this time around. It chronicles the path of Gustav Bischoff, commanding Type IX U-boat U-38, also out of Flotilla Salzwedel (2nd), Wilhelmshaven. It's not quite so exciting as the first.

19.8.39
0722 Departed dock at Wilhelmshaven.
0745 Passed locks.
0938 Out of Jade into North Sea. Destination BF14, southwest of Ireland.

20.8.39
0630 AN3877. Course 325, 10 kts. Partly cloudy. Sea 4. Wind 7 m/s. Waves 1m.
1227 Crossed time zone GMT. Set clocks to 1127.
1307 Ship sighted.
1333 Thistlebrae class freighter.

21.8.39
0630 AN2973. Course 340. 8 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 3m.
1647 Ship sighted. Lost sight, never identified.

22.8.39
0630 AF8422, Course 257, 9 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 3m.

23.8.39
0630 AF7829. Course 257, 8 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 4m.

24.8.39
0630 AN1133. Course 257, 8 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 4m.

25.8.39
0630 AM3412. Course 252, 8 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 7, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 4m.

26.8.39
0215 Time change to GMT -1. Changed clocks to 0115.
0530 AM2691. Course 212, 8 kts. Light rain, Sea 7, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 4m.

27.8.39
0530 AM5183. Course 212, 8 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 7, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 4m.
1700 Weather improving.

28.8.39
0530 AM8411. Course 182, 9 kts. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2m.

29.9.39
0113 Entered BF1411, set slow speed. Weather worsening again.
0530 BF1412. Course 090, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 4m.
0738 Ship sighted.
0740 Big tanker, not far away, barely visible in mist and rain.
0849 Lost sight of him.

30.8.39
0530 BF1463. Course 180, 4 kts. Scattered clouds, Sea 7, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4m.

31.8.39
0530 BF1487. Course 270, 4 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 7, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 4m.
0800 Weather clearing.
1330 Storm has passed. Quite nice now.

1.9.39
0530 BF1419. Course 122, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 2 m/s, Waves 0.2 m.
1902 OKM: It's official - we're at war with Poland.

2.9.39
0530 BF1439. Course 000, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0 m.

3.9.39
0530 BF1477. Course 000, 6 kts. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0 m/s, Waves 0 m.
1300 OKM: Rules for shipping.
1552 FdU: War with Britain!!!
1500 Weather growing worse.
1653 War with France. Defensive actions only.

4.9.39
0530 BF1485. Course 140, 5 kts. Overcast, Sea 4, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1 m.
1102 OKM: Passenger ships off limits.

5.9.39
0530 BF1465. Course 140, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 3 m.

6.9.39
0530 BF1436. Course 220, 4 kts. Overcast,, Sea 7, Wind 17 m/s, Waves 4 m.
1042 FdU: Avoid French shipping.
1812 Sighted 2 ships, fairly close.
1817 1st is Temple Mead class freighter.
1818 2nd is British Merit class tanker, 8300 tons.
1820 Weather very heavy. Will shadow.
1822 Freighter flagged as Russian.
2156 Lost them in the dark. Diving to 20 meters to listen.

7.9.39
0310 Repeated diving yields no sounds. We've lost them.
0530 BF1466. Course 233, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 3 m.
1824 Ship sighted.
1830 Standard freighter, 4850 tons.
1853 American flag. Too rough to stop her and investigate. Letting her go.

8.9.39
0530 BF1422. Course 000, 9 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 7, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.
1048 Have been ordered to return home. Can only hope we meet a fat target on the way.

9.9.39
0530 AM8447. Course 352, 4 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 7, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 4 m.

10.9.39
0530 AM5414. Course 000, 8 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 7, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.
1217 FdU: French-escorted convoys may be attacked.
2001 OKM: War with Canada.

11.9.39
0530 AM2876. Course 057, 8 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 7, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.

12.9.39
0327 Time change. Set clocks to 0227
0630 AM3532. Course 060, 9 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 7, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 4 m.
0753 Weather finally lifting.

13.9.39
0630 AN1125. Course 060, 8 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 5, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 2 m.
1432 Weather increasing again.

14.9.39
0630 AF7845. Course 090, 8 kts. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 14 m/s, Waves 4 m.

15.9.39
0013 Have decided to detour south near British coast. One last chance to pick up a ship or two.
0630 AN2713. Course 180, 9 kts. Clear, Sea 7, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 4 m.

16.9.39
0630 AN4846. Course 180, 9 kts. Scattered clouds, Wind 15 m/s, Waves 4 m.
1815 Plane spotted. Dive to 20 m. Lookout Klomki thought it might be an Anson.
1819 Heard a bomb go off, far away.
2200 Surfaced.

17.9.39
0630 AN5973 Course 180, 9 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 6, wind 13 m/s, Waves 3 m.
0710 115 km off Hull. Turning east for home.

18.9.39
0217 Wind lessened considerably, sea much calmer. First good weather in more than a week.
0630 AN6882. Course 090, 10 kts. Clear, Sea 4, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1 m.

19.9.39
0432 Time change - GMT +1. Set clocks for 0542.
0728 Sighted land.
0730 No report. Will be home in a few hours.
0821 Entered Jade.
0947 Passed inner buoy. Speed 5 kts.
0958 Passed lock into Wilhelmshaven.
1023 Tied up at dock. Patrol officially over.
　
　
Days at sea: 32
Damage sustained: None
Torpedoes Expended: 0
Deck Gun Ammunition Expended: 0
Ships Sunk: 0
Tonnage Sunk: 0

[Sailor Steve]

Third career start.

Werner Casparie, commanding U-56, Type IIc, Flotilla Weddigen (1st), Kiel.

25.8.39
0718 Departed Tender at Kiel.
0753 Left inner harbor. Orders to patrol AO95, off Danzig.
1340 Sighted lightship off Fehmarn.

26.8.39
0715 AO7875. Course 064, 8 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 0, Wind nil, Waves calm.

27.8.39
0715 AO8471. Course 075, 8 kts. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 1 m/s, Waves 0 m.

28.8.39
0715 AO9511. Course 090, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0.2 m/s, Waves 0.

29.8.39
0715 AO9533. Course 090, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2 m.

30.8.29
0715 AO9555. Course 270, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 13 m/s, Waves 3 m.

31.8.39
0715 AO9511. Course 105, 3 kts, Clear, Sea 8, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 6 m.

1.9.39
0715 AO9562. Course 105, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 5 m.
2100 OKM: War with Poland.

2.9.39
0715 AO9526. Course 255, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6 m. We are restricting our location to the northwest corner of the grid, north of the Danzig area, squares 9511 to 9533, 9547 to 9569.

3.9.39
0134 Ship sighted. Weather has calmed considerably.
0147 Too dark to identify properly.
0150 Ordered Periscope Depth.
0156 Seems to be some kind of fishing vessel.
0202 Motor Yacht, 110 tons.
0205 Surfacing. Going to stop him. 1WO Nonnenbroich advises against this, arguing that we shouldn't reveal ourselves unless we plan to sink him. I point out that we are already at war. They know we have forces in the area.
0217 Vessel has stopped.
0220 Have closed to hailing distance. He's flying the Swedish flag.
0224 Sending Nonnenbroich over with 2 armed matrosen.
0237 Raft boat is returning.
0239 Nonnenbroich reports papers are good. Letting him go.
0242 Boat stowed, underway.
0312 OKM: We are at war with Britain!
0715 AO9511. Course 358, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 4 m/s, Waves 1/2 m.

4.9.39
0715 AO0522. Course 240, 4 kts. Rain, Sea 4, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1 m.

5.9.39
0715 AO9511. Course 135, 3 kts. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 6 m.

6.9.39
0715 AO9555. Course 143, 3 kts. Driving Rain, Sea 7, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 5 m.

7.9.39
0715 AO9546. Course 217, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6 m.

8.9.39
0715 AO9514. Course 000, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 7 m.

9.9.39
0715 AO9527. Course 180, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 5, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 2 m.

10.9.39
0715 AO9552. Course 340, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 4 m.

11.9.39
0715 AO9512. Course 340, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6 m.

12.9.39
0715 AO9513. Course 090, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 5, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 2 m.

13.9.39
0715 AO9545. Course 270, 3 kts. Heavy Rain, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6 m.
0809 Post boat sighted. German. Raised flag to make sure he knew our nationality. Not sure how he's doing in this weather.

14.9.39
0715 AO9519. Course 270, 3 kts. Heavy Rain, Sea 9, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 7 m.

15.9.39
0715 AO9516. Course 180, 3 kts. Heavy Rain, Sea 7, Wind 16 m/s, Waves 4 m.

16.9.39
0715 AO9515. Course 300, 4 kts. Clear , Sea 4, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1 m.
1645 Ship sighted.
1651 Minesweeper. Ordered periscope depth.
1655 Sound has two targets.
1658 Three targets now.
1700 Ship #1 is a military barge.
1702 #2 is the minesweeper.
1708 They're ours! German!
1714 #3 is another barge. Staying submerged - who knows what they might do if we pop up next to them?
1720 Diving to 20 m, resuming course.
2109 Surfaced.

17.9.39
0715 AO9524. Course 063, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 3, Wind 5 m/s, Waves 0.5 m.
1729 Ship sighted.
1725 Another minesweeper. Probably ours, periscope depth anyway.
1732 Periscope check confirms they're ours - both of them.
2140 Surfaced. Weather steadily worsening.

18.9.39
0715 AO9513. Course 318, 3kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6 m.

19.9.39
0715 AO9517. Course 045, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 5 m.

20.9.39
0715 AO9524. Course 045, 4 kts.
1803 Ship sighted.
1806 Two of them.
1842 Small steamer and tug boat.
1908 Turns out they're Danish. Letting them go.

21.9.39
0455 Ship sighted.
0510 Lost sight in the dark.
0522 Sighted again.
0523 Polish! We are so close I hail them immediately.
0527 Crew abandoning ship.
0532 Crew well away. Fired 1 torpedo, hit.
0543 Ship sank. Interviewed crew. SS Goulburn, 3103 tons, carrying a mixed cargo. 26 crew, well away.
0715 AO9517. Course 000, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 4, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1 m.
1111 Started raining.

22.9.39
0715 AO9522. Course 180, 4 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 5, Wind 8 m/s, Waves 2 m.

23.9.39
0715 AO9514. Course 000, 3 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 5 m.

24.9.39
0715 AO9528. Course 000, 3 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 9, Wind 21 m/s, Waves 7 m.
2255 Diesel fuel reserve at 50%.

25.9.39
0715 AO9517. Course 000, 3 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 8, Wind 18 m/s, Waves 5 m.

26.9.39
0534 Ship sighted.
0545 Lost in the mist and rain.
0715 AO9513. Course 140, 3 kts. Rain, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6 m.

27.9.39
0715 AO9527. Course 217, 4 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 5, Wind 8 m/s, Waves 2 m.

28.9.39
0715 AO9544. Course 090, 4 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 4, Wind 7 m/s, Waves 1 m.
1314 OKM: Fighting in Warsaw.

29.9.39
0715 AO9521. Course 240, 4 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 4, Wind 6 m/s, Waves 1 m.

30.9.39
0715 AO9512. Course 090, 4 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 5, Wind 10 m/s, Waves 2 m.

1.10.39
0715 AO9546. Course 270, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 20 m/s, Waves 6 m.
0842. FdU: Poland has fallen, ordered home.
1414 Ship sighted, moving fast. We can't catch him in this weather.

2.10.39
0715 AO9417. Course 278, 6 kts. Overcast, Sea 8, Wind 19 m/s, Waves 6m.

3.10.39
015 AO8387. Course 286, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 6, Wind 11 m/s, Waves 3 m.

4.10.39
0715 AO7833. Course 230, 7 kts. Clear, Sea 5. Wind 9 m/s, Waves 2 m.
1658 North of Fehmarn. Lightship in sight.
1722 Sighted small tanker. Ours of course.

5.10.39
0328 Sighted land.
0357 Sighted Laboe Naval Memorial.
0359 Entered inner bay, set speed 5 kts.
0604 Tied up at tender.

　
Days at Sea: 42
Damage sustained: None
Torpedoes expended: 1
Deck Gun Ammunition Expended: N/A
Ships sunk: 1
Tonnage sunk: 1303

AO9517: SS Goulburn, 1303 tons. Cargo General. Crew 26. All survived sinking, 6 lost next day in storm.

[Sailor Steve]

After taking forever to finish this next patrol, it has taken me more than two weeks to type it up. I've been busy with other things, including getting SH4 running the way I want it.

This is the first patrol for my fourth career, all running in sequence. It will be the last report here for awhile, because I'm going to be starting an SH4 career next. This one is also long and boring.

Otto Döbele, commanding U-54, Type VIIb, Flotilla Wegener (7th), Kiel.

29.9.39
1326 Departed Kiel.
1418 Exited Holtenau Lock, into Canal.
1700 Passed Rendsburg.
1910 Passed Hockdonn.
2106 Exited Brunsbuttel Lock, into Elbe. Opened orders: Am24.

30.9.39
0045 Out of Elbe into North Sea.
1038 Crossed Time Zone - now 0938.
1225 AN9387. Course 318, 10 kts. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0, Waves 0.
1300 FdU: Prize Regulations to be abandoned.

1.10.39
1225 AN3448. Course 320, 10 kts. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 3, Waves 0.25.

2.10.39
1225 AF8777. Course 337, 10 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 2, Waves
0.25.
1313 Ship sighted.
1350 Periscope depth.
1407 Surfaced.
1408 Fishing boat.
1418 Norwegian. Resuming course.

3.10.39
1225 AF7768. Course 260, 10 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 0, Wind , Waves 0.

4.10.39
1225 AM3253. Course 260, 10 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 3, Wind 5, Waves 0.5.
1321 Plane sighted! Dove to 50m.
1500 Surfaced.
1756 Crossed Time Zone - now 1656.

5.10.39
1029 OKM: Poland has surrendered.
1125 AM3177. Course 250, 10 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 4, Wind 7, Waves 1.
1217 Have arrived at AM2433.

6.10.39
1125 AM2489. Course 270, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 2, Waves 0.25.

7.10.39
1125 AM2417. Course 000, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 3, Waves 0.5.

8.10.39
1125 AM2491. Course 118, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 2, Wind 2, Waves 0.25.

9.10.39
1125 AM 2432. Course 242, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 1, Waves 0.1.

10.10.39
1125 AM 2477. Course 239, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 0, Wind 0, Waves 0.
1842 Storm moving in. Raining

11.10.39
1125 AM2443. Course 132, 3 kts. Rain, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

12.10.39
1125 AM 2429. Course 000, 3 kts. Rain, Sea 9, Wind 21, Waves 7.

13.10.39
0055 Rain has stopped. Sea much calmer.
1125 AM2496. Course 000, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 11, Waves 3.

14.10.39
1125 AM2467. Course 217, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 13, Waves 3.

15.10.39
0530 Storm has passed.
1125 AM2425. Course 230, 5 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 5, Wind 8, Waves 2.

16,10,39
1125 AM2441. Course 000, 5 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 4, Wind 7, Waves 1.

17.10.39
1125 AM2484. Course 000, 5 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 3, Waves 0.25.

18.10.39
1125 AM2482. Course 152, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

19.10.39
1125 AM2437. Course 157, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24, Waves 8.
1453 Plane sighted. Crash dive!
1455 Level at 70 m.
1900 Periscope depth.
1903 Surfaced.

20.10.39
1125 AM2499. Course 000, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 2, Waves 0.25.
1606 FdU: Ordered to move to AM26.
1816 Arrived AM2633.

21.10.39
1125 AM2697. Course 270, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 3, Waves 0.25.

22.10.39
0559 Plane sighted! Crash dive.
0601 Just passing 60 m when bombs went off right above us.
0602 Another bomb. Safely at 70 m.
0858 Periscope depth.
0900 Surfaced.
1125 AM2678. Course 270, 5 kts. Clear, Sea 1, Wind 1, Waves 0.1.

23.10.39
1125 AM2623. Course 090, 5 kts. Partly cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 3, Waves 0.25.
1820 Ship sighted.
1822 Enemy task force! 20 km south of us!
1823 Running at full speed to intercept.
1852 Planes sighted! A pair of Swordfish. Too dark for them to see us.
1853 They've seen us! Crash dive!
1854 Bomb hit! Boat shaken badly.
1855 70 m. Damage reports main pump out of action, hydrophones out of action, radio damaged, both periscopes damaged.
1915 Their destroyers haven't come after us. Continuing to repair damage.
1920 Radio repaired.
1929 Main pump repaired.
1933 Hydrophone repaired.
1935 Sound reports no contacts.
1942 Unable to use periscopes. Surfaced anyway.
1944 Discovered heavy damage to flak gun.
2052 Observation periscope repaired.
2103 Attack periscope repaired.
2135 Radio antenna repaired.
2326 Flak gun repaired.

24.10.39
1125 AM2655. Course 242, 5 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 2, Wind 2, Waves 0.25.

25.10.39
1125 AM2617. Course 000, 5 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 3, Wind 5, Waves 0.5.

26.10.39
1125 AM2691. Course 118, 4 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 7, Wind 17, Waves 4.

27.10.39
1125 AM2633. Course 000, 4 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8, Wind 20, Waves 6.

28.10.39
1125 AM2682. Course 000, 4 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 8, Wind 18, Waves 5.

29.10.39
1125 AM2672. Course 227, 4 kts. Partly Cloudy, Sea 7, Wind 15, Waves 4.

30.10.39
1125 AM2614. Course 134, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 25, Waves 9.

31.10.39
1125 AM2658. Course 000, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24, Waves 7.
1928 Ship sighted. Periscope depth, closing.
1930 Looks like a destroyer and two transports.
1932 Sound reports two ships, both large.
1936 Sound confirms two transports and smaller ship.
1938 1 V-class destroyer and an armed merchant cruiser. Range 4000.
1940 Fired two bow tubes at each AMC. First two both hit. Diving to 70 m.
1941 Heard 1 hit on second target.
1953 Can hear depth charges some way off.
1958 Sound reports breaking-up noises.
2000 More breaking-up sounds, different direction. Did both sink?
2620 Have lost all sound contact.
2100 Returning to course, reloading torpedoes.
2358 Periscope depth.

1.11.39
0011 Surfaced
1125 AM2668. Course 137, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 26, Waves 9.

2.11.39
1125 AM2636. Course 203, 3 kts. Heavy Rain, Sea 10, Wind 27, Waves 9.

3.11.39
1125 AM2661. Course 000, 3 kts. Heavy Rain, Sea 10, Wind 25, Waves 8.

4.11.39
1125 AM2685. Course 000, 3 kts. Light Rain, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

5.11.39
1125 AM2681. Course 207, 3 kts. Light Rain, Sea 8, Wind 20, Waves 6.

6.11.39
1125 AM2618. Course 207, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 25, Waves 8.

7.11.39
1125 AM2617. Course 000, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 22, Waves 6.

8.11.39
0436 Diesel fuel 50%.
1125 AM2676. Course 000, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 21, Waves 6.

9.11.39
1125 AM2682. Course 153, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

10.11.39
1125 AM2629. Course 150, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 9, Wind 24, Waves 7.

11.11.39
1125 AM2638. Course 000, 3 kts. Clear, Sea 10, Wind 26, Waves 9.

12.11.39
1125 AM2693. Course 000, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 18, Waves 5.

13.11.39
1125 AM2628. Course 252, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 19, Waves 5.

14.11.39
1125 AM2646. Course 090, 4 kts. Clear, Sea 8, Wind 18, Waves 5.

15.11.39
1125 AM2668. Course 357, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 6, Wind 12, Waves 3.

16.11.39
1125 AM2677. Course 252, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 14, Waves 4.

17.11.39
1125 AM2622. Course 117, 4 kts. Overcast, Sea 7, Wind 15, Waves 4.
1230 BdU: Ordered to Grid AM01.

18.11.39
1125 AM2277. Course 237, 7 kts. Rain, Sea 9, Wind 20, Waves 7.
1211 Entered AM0133.

19.11.39
1125 AM0197. Course 270, 5 kts. Light Rain, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7

20.11.39
1125 AM0177. Course 000, 3 kts. Light Rain, Sea 9, Wind 22, Waves 7.

21.11.39
1125 AM0121. Course 090, 3 kts. Light Rain, Sea 9, Wind 21, Waves 7.

22.11.39
1125 AM0135. Course 345, 3 kts. Heavy Rain, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

23.11.39
1125 AM0175. Course 345, 3 kts. Heavy Rain, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

24.11.39
1125 AM0197. Course 090, 3 kts. Heavy Rain, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

25.11.39
1125 AM0159. Course 297, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 21, Waves 7.

26.11.39
0252 Arrived AM2911.
1125 AM2921. Course 090, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

27.11.39
1125 AM2963. Course 180, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 26, Waves 8.

28.11.39
1125 AM2988. Course 270, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24, Waves 7.

29.11.39
1125 AM2917. Course 000, 3 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

30.11.39
1125 AM2959. Course 118, 3 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 9, Wind 22, Waves 7.

1.12.39
1125 AM2936. Course 000, 3 kts. Heavy rain, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.
1654 Diesel fuel down to 25%. Heading home.

2.12.39
1125 AM5542. Course 055, 9 kts. Rain, Sea 10, Wind 26, Waves 8.
1836 Time Zone change - now 1936.

3.12.39
1225 AM3295. Course 073, 8 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24, Waves 7.

4.12.39
0140 Ship sighted.
0142 Can barely see him in the dark & fog. Appears to be some kind of freighter.
0145 He's heading away from us. Coming to course 320.
0201 Cairnesk class freighter, 5100 tons.
0207 Fired two forward torpedoes. Both hit.
0215 Target stopped.
0400 After almost two hours target shows no sign of sinking. Have waited long enough. Will deliver coup de grace.
0402 Fired tube 3.
0403 How could it miss? Fired tube 4.
0404 Hit!
0418 Target sank.
0419 Diving to 50m to reload.
0423 50m. Reloading commenced.
1225 AF7794. Course 074, 8 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 24, Waves 7.

5.12.39
1225 AF7945. Course 093, 8 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 21, Waves 6.

6.12.39
0950 Submarine sighted! Crash dive!
0955 Return to periscope depth. Can't see him anywhere.
1000 No sighting, no sound contact.
1200 Surfaced.
1225 AN2334. Course 150, 8 kts. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 26, Waves 8.

7.12.39
1225 AN3453. Course 150, 8 kts. Overcast, Sea 9, Wind 23, Waves 7.

8.12.39
1225 AN9345. Course 150, 8 kts. Overcast, Sea 10, Wind 26, Waves 8.
1553 Crossed time zone. Time now 1653.

9.12.29
0119 Position 11 km south of Helgoland
0552 Entered Elbe River.
0952 Left Brunsbuttel locks into Canal.
1430 Passed Rendsburg Swingbridge.
1812 Exited Holtenau lock into Kiel Harbor.
1902 Tied up at tender.


Days at sea: 72
Damage sustained: None
Torpedoes expended: 8
Deck Gun Ammunition expended: None
Ships sunk: 3
Tonnage Sunk: 32,876

AM2655: HMS Circassia, Auxiliary Cruiser, 13,850 tons. Crew 131, 17 lost.
AM2655: HMS Derbyshire, Auxiliary Cruiser, 13,850 tons. Crew 174, 73 lost.
AF7788: SS Gharinda, Merchant, 5,176 tons, Cargo spirits. Crew
54, 43 lost.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Very cool, Sailor Steve. I've contemplated doing something similar.

Am holding off while I contemplate getting a new rig... have had this one since just after GWX 2.1 release.

Gawd, I hope I can avoid dealing with Windows 8. Windows 7 maybe.

Am really feeling the pull to sail again after buying the Revell 1/72 Type IXC.

Good luck over there in the Pacific.:ping:

(Speaking of which... that Revell 1/72 Gato looks pretty cool toooo....)

<Sorry for the ramble.>

[jakethescot]

Smooth sailing. I hope all of your torpedoes hit home. I'll be watching your posts, especially for the Type II, since that's my boat of choice.

Sink 'em all, Mr. Steve. :salute:

[Sailor Steve]

Hey Todd, good to hear from you again.

Very cool, Sailor Steve. I've contemplated doing something similar.
Anal-retentive, obsessive-compulsive...I can't help myself. :dead:

Am holding off while I contemplate getting a new rig... have had this one since just after GWX 2.1 release.
My old one was bought just for SH3 back in 2005. I'm so glad I have this new one, or else I could never do the things I want with the SH series.

Gawd, I hope I can avoid dealing with Windows 8. Windows 7 maybe.
I have 8.1, and have no troubles with it at all.

Am really feeling the pull to sail again after buying the Revell 1/72 Type IXC.
:yep: I missed it.

Good luck over there in the Pacific.:ping:
No Pacific, at least not for a long time. All my patrols are in sequence, and I'm still in 1939. My SH4 will all be with Op Monsun until I get to 1942. :sunny:

[Sailor Steve]

Sink 'em all, Mr. Steve. :salute:
As you can see my luck so far is variable, with one career start being completely dry.

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Hey Todd, good to hear from you again.


Anal-retentive, obsessive-compulsive...I can't help myself. :dead:


My old one was bought just for SH3 back in 2005. I'm so glad I have this new one, or else I could never do the things I want with the SH series.


I have 8.1, and have no troubles with it at all.


:yep: I missed it.


No Pacific, at least not for a long time. All my patrols are in sequence, and I'm still in 1939. My SH4 will all be with Op Monsun until I get to 1942. :sunny:

I've missed it too. :arrgh!:

If it is okay, I might lightly pick your brain when it comes to running SH3 on Windows 8.1. (Assuming I can convince my Admiral of my need for a new rig.) in the not so distant future.

[Sailor Steve]

If it is okay, I might lightly pick your brain when it comes to running SH3 on Windows 8.1.
Never a problem. :sunny:

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Never a problem. :sunny:

I've seen a few posts about using Win 8.1, but mostly they seem 'unsure' if you know what I mean. Anyhoo, I didn't mean to hijack your thread.

Thank you kindly, mate.:shucks:

[Sailor Steve]

I've seen a few posts about using Win 8.1, but mostly they seem 'unsure' if you know what I mean.
I followed the advice of others and it's running quite smoothly. When you're ready just let me know. Of course Windows 10 might be out by then, but we'll see how it goes.


Anyhoo, I didn't mean to hijack your thread.
Also not a problem. This thread will be sitting idle anyway, while I get my first career starts with SH4/OM.

[Meridian]

Hey Steve,

Is that your actual Mod Load order in post 1 or is it just a list of what you have installed ?

[Sailor Steve]

I ran into a few problems awhile back, and very little of it is manually and permanently installed now - it's all JSGME. That said, it's still all there and yes, that is the actual order.

Here is what I went through to get where it is now.
http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=217586

[Sailor Steve]

It's been almost a year since I last wrote something here. I've had several real-life holdups and a lot of projects I've been working on. Not the least of the problems was a complete reformat a few months ago. I saved my Silent Hunter files to an external drive, fully expecting for that to fail and have to reinstall the game and start over yet again. I put it back on my main drive and to my surprise everything works perfectly!

I did lose all four of my saved careers, but they only had one patrol each behind them, so starting over again is no big deal. I spent the last several days setting up the first new career and redoing the Academy drills. Yesterday I set up a false patrol so I could get the crew and boat the way I wanted them. Today I started the first patrol, out of Wilhelmshaven in a Type VIIa, August 19th, 1939. It only covered the first day, but an hour of it was spent just cruising out of the harbor, so the next session should go faster.

It's nice to be at it again.

[Sailor Steve]

I did four more game days, making my slow way north, and the next session will see me rounding Scotland and the Orkneys and Shetlands. So far I've only seen three other ships. Of course there's always the temptation to cheat and use the external view, so here's one ship as the crew saw it:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Silent%20Hunter%20Screenshots/SH3Img10-7-2016_3.7.44_241_zpsk9f1nwgd.png (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Silent%20Hunter%20Screenshots/SH3Img10-7-2016_3.7.44_241_zpsk9f1nwgd.png.html)

And as it really was:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a325/SailorSteve/Silent%20Hunter%20Screenshots/SH3Img10-7-2016_3.9.15_137_zpsrpagupgv.png (http://s14.photobucket.com/user/SailorSteve/media/Silent%20Hunter%20Screenshots/SH3Img10-7-2016_3.9.15_137_zpsrpagupgv.png.html)