Quote:
Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980
Also, in RL I do not believe sea state had much to do with the prematures.The magnetic detonator was considered so secret it was never tested way out in the Pacific where it was used, it was tested in an enclosed bay in the US.The earth's magnetic field is different where the detonator was actually used and this affected it.Also the torpedos often were too sensitive and detected a ships magnetic signature too early, which lead to close but premature explosions, that some skippers thought were hits but all they did were throw water geysers on the decks of their targets.
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The "live" magnetic detonator was in fact tested only once against a target ship, that being a derelict submarine. In this test, the detonator failed to work the first time but did work the second time, after some adjustments were made.
Also, it was concluded that premature detonations were most often being caused by water leaking in around the magnetic generator, which caused an induction in electrical voltage. Lockwood discusses it in his autobiography.