What happens when...

[Foghladh_mhara]

Lightning strikes a U-Boat?

Reading a book by Edward Young who was the first RNVR Officer to join the RN Submarine branch. In it he describes a passage across the Med as the watch officer. All of a sudden an electrical storm started and a fork of lightning hit the sea a bit too close for comfort. He made the decision to dive because he didn't know what the result of a lightning strike on 700 tons of steel surrounded by water would be.

Any ideas?

[BelegDraug]

Mmmhhh... interesting topic.- Maybe it could just happen like in a car, a Faraday effect where the electrons go around all the trip on the metal not damaging the people inside it... but, I don't know the "neutral" parts of a sub's interior and how could it be isolated from the current... (in a car, for example, we have plastic pieces and a metal chassis)

[Stealth Hunter]

We must remember, children, a U-boat carries EXPLOSIVES on board. You might find that the entire thing would blow up.

[BelegDraug]

Well, maybe you are right my little boy... but not all the explosives would explode when they are hit by a current... even the WWII explosives... I don't know the exact composition of a T2 explosive head, but maybe the Faraday effect would protect them from an explosion, just by discharging the current away.-

[Stealth Hunter]

Perhaps...:hmm:

And I'm 47, not a child.

[Foghladh_mhara]

Originally Posted by Stealth Hunter

Perhaps...:hmm:

And I'm 47, not a child.

So why are you playing at being a u-boat commander? At least I have an excuse...I'm only 33

[Puster Bill]

Originally Posted by BelegDraug

Well, maybe you are right my little boy... but not all the explosives would explode when they are hit by a current... even the WWII explosives... I don't know the exact composition of a T2 explosive head, but maybe the Faraday effect would protect them from an explosion, just by discharging the current away.-

Don't forget, it isn't just the explosives themselves, but the pistols (ie., fuzes). They tend to use much more sensitive explosives to set off the less sensitive (but more powerful) main charge.

You've also got AA and deck gun ammunition to worry about, especially those in 'ready' containers outside the hull.

Then too, you have things that don't react well to overcurrents and overvoltages, like batteries, motors, and various electrical circuits.

[Brag]

Originally Posted by Puster Bill

Don't forget, it isn't just the explosives themselves, but the pistols (ie., fuzes). They tend to use much more sensitive explosives to set off the less sensitive (but more powerful) main charge.

You've also got AA and deck gun ammunition to worry about, especially those in 'ready' containers outside the hull.

Then too, you have things that don't react well to overcurrents and overvoltages, like batteries, motors, and various electrical circuits.

All these scary things on board? Maybe I ought to request a transfer to the Red Cross.