Do you want me to put my depth record here again? I will:

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/1629/depthxm4.jpg

514m:rock: , byt as You all can see, I had two steel colums inside the sub holding the sub!!!

This was a bug, after reloading a save game! My max depth in game, playing and surviving was 235m!

It is an interesting topic BTW. Has anyone a chart on design depth vs operating depths. I know there exists something as I did read it somewhere for U-Boots and their various class.

Also, understanding that this is a sim and who knows what was programmed but I wonder, when on the decent flank astern, would lightening up the nose, bringing men aft and loosing the heavy torpedoes help the ballast and pumps and help level or is it too far gone and at what point? I know that drifting down level with ballast control and pumps functioning is OK but when going nose down on a 45 degree angle or less it will be irreversable. Any programmer know?

S'
PC

Many a sub was saved by shallow water. But in the deep blue if you cannot trim the increased pressure will send you to Davey Jones locker. (.445lbs per square inch for every foot in depth). BTW I have seen WWII sub wreakage in the deep - we are talikng a gnarled mass of nothing recognizable other than that which will not crush at 12,000 fsw i.e. rudder, props, shafts. valves etc. Pressure vessels blow inward (implode). Debri field is large as the stuff drifts down after implosion.

added 7:30 PM:

"The theoretical crush depth of the Type VIIC was 280 - 375 meters, depending on which figures are used. Design depths from 120 to 150 meters are published. The Germans generally used a safety factor of 2.5 to get design depth and they tested the hull at a safety factor of 1.5. The maximum safe depth for the VIIC was therefore between 185 and 250 meters. The problem is that most of numbers published do not specify the applicable safety factor, so it is difficult to come up with a precise number for theoretical crush depth. The actual crush depth varied from one boat to another anyway since the quality of the materials and the workmanship varied.

BTW, there was a project for a VII C 42 which was to have a design depth of 200 meters using armor plate as the hull material. This gives us a maximum safe depth of 330 meters and a crush depth of 500 meters. Most of the other U-boat types only had a design depth of 100 meters, so their test and maximum safe depth was only around 170 meters, but many went deeper.

The Type XXI was designed to have a design depth of 135 meters, which gives a crush depth of 340 meters and a maximum safe depth of 225 meters. However, when the finished product was tested, there was a minor problem in the design which reduced the design depth to 120 meters, so we get a crush depth of 300 meters and a maximum safe depth of 200 meters, rather similar to the VIIC. The deepest test dive was to 220 meters.

The theoretical crush depth of the Type VIIC was 280 - 375 meters, depending on which figures are used. Design depths from 120 to 150 meters are published. The Germans generally used a safety factor of 2.5 to get design depth and they tested the hull at a safety factor of 1.5. The maximum safe depth for the VIIC was therefore between 185 and 250 meters. The problem is that most of numbers published do not specify the applicable safety factor, so it is difficult to come up with a precise number for theoretical crush depth. The actual crush depth varied from one boat to another anyway since the quality of the materials and the workmanship varied.

BTW, there was a project for a VII C 42 which was to have a design depth of 200 meters using armor plate as the hull material. This gives us a maximum safe depth of 330 meters and a crush depth of 500 meters. Most of the other U-boat types only had a design depth of 100 meters, so their test and maximum safe depth was only around 170 meters, but many went deeper.

The Type XXI was designed to have a design depth of 135 meters, which gives a crush depth of 340 meters and a maximum safe depth of 225 meters. However, when the finished product was tested, there was a minor problem in the design which reduced the design depth to 120 meters, so we get a crush depth of 300 meters and a maximum safe depth of 200 meters, rather similar to the VIIC. The deepest test dive was to 220 meters."

I reached 280 meters in my VIIC recently, no hull damage.......I'm sure glad I realized it in time...........My boat wasn't maintaining buoyancy unless my speed was 3kts...........

I'll try again under more controlled conditions.....I was evading at the time...........

I've taken a XXI down to 320-340 and back up again. Took some serious damage along the way though! :o

This is by using SH3 Commmander.
But there is no impact on the efficacity, it's just for the fun.

Well !
514 m !!
It's probably a world record !
Must put it in the Guiness book.
Congratulations !

About my poor 314m, I must tell you that at first, I don't saw immediately the front was so charged because just before it was the rear in trouble. And in this primary tragical moment I was full ahead to track the ship up.
Succes because passing of 280m at 175m and in the green few moments later.

And right after that, I thought to be save, a second attack and the front is submerged but I forget to change the traction...
It means that I was going down full ahead !!!

:lol:

There should be a warning from someone for the captain like "Captain....are u nuts ?? what the hell are u doing ?" :88)

Having my VIIC at 280 meters, no propulsion, floodings,british destroyers above me and made it back to base thought me to be a bit more carefull with attacking Convoys in 1943

HunterICX

287m in a VIIC. Carbon dioxide levels near critical. Barely managed to surface & get home.