Captain in predicament - need advice

[Von Hinten]

Last night on my way back home from a (rather boring) patrol I decided to check out the harbor scenery of Portland. I found only a cargo ship and a small merchant there, so that made the trip kind of worth while.

Then I left the harbor and spotted a large tanker just around the corner so I put two fishies in that one too. But then trouble began, my radio man shouted that a destroyer was inbound (at a ridiculous speed ;-)).

Knowing that my VIIB would never outrun that destroyer I made a quick decision and went back into the harbor. This worked to some extent, while I was lurking along into the harbor the destroyer kept on turning towards me. Since I by the time it reached the port I was already inside the walls it now it's stuck against the wall, probably waiting for me.

So here's the situation.

I'm on one side of the wall, I'm topside but the guns on the destroyer can't reach me because I've surfaced between buildings. (That won't stop it from trying to shoot me though, I sure hope they can't take down entire buildings)

The destroyer is on the other side of the wall and is slowly drifting towards the end of the wall, where it will reach a corner. It doesn't seem stuck, but looks like it's trying to get to me without sailing around the walls.

What should I do? I have two torps left, one in the front and one in the rear, little over half a tank of diesel and all the time in the world.

Will the destroyer give up? Can they go backwards/in reverse and come after me in a hurry? Should I try to sneak round the other side of the wall and shoot it (twice)? Or get out of the harbor at flank speed and hope it runs into the wall before running into me?

If I do nothing I'll be in Portland for the rest of the war I'm afraid ...

[svenks]

Hmm, when the DD drifts around the corner, will he be able to shell you? In other words, do you have a direct line-of-sight to where he will be when he 'runs out of' pier?
If so, turn your boat, and submerge as far as it will go so you will be ready to give him a torp when he breaks free and come for you. Mind the depth, though: For a bow shot, you'll need magnetic trigger and you should only try this, if there is enough water to have the torp pass under him.
Another solution would be to use your gun as a mortar: I don't know how far it can be elevated, but perhaps enough for you to shoot over the buildings and hit him!:o

BRGDS
Sven

[TarJak]

If my experience in Gibraltar is anything to go by the DD is not going anywhere anytime soon. Submerge as far as you can and sneak out past him and he should sty put against the wall.

When I go harbour hunting and get detected I make a run for the nearest wall to get the destroyers to kill themselves whilst chasing me.

Last time I was in Gib I got four DD's got crash themselves against the walls. In all cases they were stuck and couldn't give chase after they hit the wall. I even saw one crush a PTElco between it and the wall and both got stuck. There were tow that got stuck stern first with their bows pointing out into the harbour. As I get my backside out of there they pinged like mad whilst they could hear me but couldnt give chase at all.

Can't say I've seen one sliding along the wall though. I'd be interested to know how you go but my gut tells me you'll be home free as long as they haven't called in reinforcements from patrols in the channel.

[andy_311]

Portland? never been brave enough to venture in there,but saying that if the dd has spotted you and was heading towards you even being stuck he will start pinging you sooner or later and am fairly certain he will call in his buddies if there near by including the Raf.If I were you I'd take a shot at the nearest juciest target and split.

[NeonSamurai]

Tsk Tsk using gamey exploits. But i like realism :)

[Von Hinten]

Well, to my surprise, so far the 'let's sail away and not tell anyone' theory seems to work.

Moving to the North side of the harbor where they have no submarine nets in place, I've snuck out and came clear of the harbor a couple of miles now, while the destroyer, which moved towards me a little bit further until it was kind of trapped in the corner at the end of the wall, is still stationary against the wall.

I really hope it does for a long long time. I did fire my last two torps at it but one was a dud and the other did put a hole in the hull but didn't sink her yet ... Seems I live to sail another day fellow Captains! Thanks for not giving up on me. :up: