Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptainMattJ.
So, pardon the ignorance, but if the shaft seal breaks, why wouldnt the sudden breach in the hull cause explosive decompression at depth?
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It would be compression, not decompression, and would be totally dependant upon depth and size of the opening. A minor leak below the waterline on the surface would be a major event at test depth.
As you know, air is compressible. Assuming there is nowhere for the air in the engine room to go, flooding may be controlled when internal air pressure equals sea pressure at the given depth. "IF" people can survive at such pressure, damage control can continue. Yes, this is considered an extreme measure, not a first option.
If I've read correctly, the Tullibee's shaft broke just a hair outside the pressure hull, but close enough to leak sand back into the boat. In which case there would be time for the damage control crews to work their magic at all but extreme depth.
I'm pretty sure I have a couple of pics of "Building 597", she was pretty much welded to the pier by the time I was in Groton. She was one tough luck boat.