According to Clay Blair's account, Hitler's U-boat war, he states..."early submarines had glass portholes in the conning tower, enabling the boat to be steered or conned, on the surface from this elevated space. However, glass portholes cannot withstand the shock of depth charge explosions and had been eliminated. While traveling on the surface, the boat was actually conned from the bridge above the conning tower."
Later on, the screens were provided so that the watch officers wouldn't have to deal repeatedly with getting salt water splashed in their faces.
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Because I'm the captain, that's why!
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