6 hours later we were in position, periscope depth and screws barely turning. I took a quick look, nasty waves, high seas and then bang there they were. We've spotted the entire British fleet I thought as Petre confirmed the sighting.
All right boys, it's time to start the hunt. #2 confirm positions at check. His silence spoke volumes as Chief grabbed my shoulder - a firm but reassuring grasp. Check, gears turned and check. 24 and 38 degrees. Two huge merchants. Chief, come to heading 31 we'll split the differ..
Hold!!
As I peered through the periscope a destroyer rolled past my view and a massive ship came into sight. Either a troop or ..damn waves... battleship perhaps but couldn't tell for sure. Then as I was ready to move, a glint of moonlight shown through, and the Hood's older stacks became prominent.
Check position. 28 degrees
I watched the destroyer and she looked like she was angling inwards slightly towards the center of the group, if so, then we might have a clear shot. Worth a go.
Chief, come to heading 26.
Depth under Keel as tube 1 fires.
Open tubes 1 through 4, 2 degree spread.
Petre gave the thumbs up, and I waited..feeling my heartbeat and counting them 6, 7, 8, 9, ... tubes 1 and 3 LOS!
Depth is 84 Sir. I waited another 5 heart beats... tubes 2 and 4 LOS!
As the eels slid away, I was already dropping the scope and giving new orders. Damage control to stations, double knuckle to starboard, dive to 56, continue for 45 seconds, then rig for silent. Hans, I want sonar reports 30 seconds after we turn.
The boat exploded into action, and through it all Petre stood still, balancing his body and keeping an eye on his stopwatch as we started the tight turn.
I had a vision of the battle in my head, the eels flying strong through the turbulence, perhaps one of two of the sonar men picking up a slight disturbance on board one of the ships, but in these rough seas, good luck. We, turning away and showing our tail and a slim target, and above the ships struggling mightily against the storm.
As we came out of the turn, I looked at the clock beside Chief. 42..43..44..45.
"Rig for silent" came Chief's call.
"Time Captain" came the voice over my shoulder as a report was slid into my view. Victor and Hans had become quite a team. Nothing yet on Sonar. Chief, turn to heading 145.
I gazed at Petre, the clock in my head saying we had perhaps another minute before we'd know when Hans screamed, "CONTACT! Screw right on top.."
There was a horrendous sound as the boat lurched. Then the lights went out.
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