Good readings for knowledge
 

Loads of solid info in the patrol reports on this webpage.

http://coblinks.esryle.com/links/PATROLREPORTS.html

fx. in the last part of the first patrol report of USS Nautilus

"The performance of the SD Radar during the patrol can be classed
as very good. No serious trouble was experienced, and some excellent
results were obtained. From the experience gained so far a lane must
be at an altitude of at least 1000 feet before a satisfactory echo
can be picked up. This ship has been unable to pick up ships or low
flying planes with the radar. All airplanes that were sighted flying
at sufficient elevation were picked up on the radar at ranges varying
from 4 to 12 miles. Two contacts were made when planes were not
sighted, one at 8 miles moving in to 6 and one at 15 miles, which was
not again seen."

and

"In connection with the depth charge attacks made on us this morning and this afternoon, the following facts were noted specifically:
1. Just before the start of the attacks, or at least before the enemy closed on us, a peculiar crackling noise was heard approximately on the bearing where the enemy was seen by periscope. This occurred in each instance before his propellers were heard and continued until about the time the first of the charges were dropped.
2. The bearing of this sound was quite sharp (about 2 or 3 degrees) although it could be heard from quarter to quarter astern.
3. The best description I could give of the character of the sound was that it sounded like someone dragging a stick rapidly and at a steady rate along a picket fence, and there was a hollow-sounding background to the noise.
4. The possibility of the enemy having some type of underwater-sound _RADAR_ is advanced. They seemed to get our approximated location in the morning, and our exact location this afternoon, very quickly - even before closing to attack."

and regarding deck-gun firering times between rounds...

0711 M Checked fire. Our vision was obscured by trees and indirect
fire had to be used. At this time the frequency was jammed and we
could not contact our prearranged spotter. However, at 0716 M
steadied on course 262 and with bearing of 84 degrees relative, range
14000 yards, opened fire on lagoon. Trying continuously to contact
spotter to no avail so used the idea of many changes in range and
deflection to make sure entire lagoon was covered, hoping that luck
would be with us.

0723 M Ceased firing having expended 65 rounds of ammunition and in as
much as we could not observe our fall of shot it seemed to be an
unwarranted expenditure of ammunition. However, it appears that luck
was with us and that we sank two ships according to evidence brought
back by the marines whose statements are quoted herewith.

That gives 8 rounds pr. minute or 7.5 sec between rounds fired.

Good read on the gun action. The sub that you refer to is the SS 168 Nautilus and the gun you refer to is not your ordinary deck gun.

It is a cruiser gun! 6" 53 caliber monster of a weapon that fires a huge 105 pound shell. The rate of fire claimed by the gun was 6 to 7 rounds a minute that means the gun crew did a great job under combat conditions firing the gun at 8 rounds a minute.

Only three subs had these big guns. They were the big boats.

Argonaut, Nautilus, and Narwhal. SS-166/167/168

Here is a link to the specs for the gun.

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_6-53_mk12.htm

The late war gun for US subs was the 5” 25 that had a much higher rate of fire.

15 to 20 rounds a minute

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_5-25_mk10.htm

The early war gun was the 4” 50 and had a rate of fire between 8 to 9 rounds a minute.

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_4-50_mk9.htm

And of course there was the pop gun of the bunch. The 3” 50 that had a rate of fire of 15 to 20 rounds a minute. At range, this gun had bad penetration. Some sailors remarked that the shell would bounce of unarmored targets.

http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_3-50_mk10-22.htm

Great link !

I so much hoped they had these subs modelled. They were more like corvettes with the option to submerge, than purely submarines. Great boats and really hughe. :rock:

The game has gone gold and it appears now that they won't be adding the big boats:down: :hulk: :dead: :dead: :down:

Maybe SH IV will be modable enough to add a new sub class.

At least, I hope so.

Very interesting reading material .

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=99447