This doesn't seem right.

skookum · 01-30-09, 03:50 PM

http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/21562/26/

This article says the submarine contains 65 tons of mercury. 65 TONS!!! I don't mean to sound skeptical but that's a hell of a lot of mercury to have in one place. Why would a u-boat have 65 tons of mercury on board?

She-Wolf · 01-30-09, 03:53 PM

see this para from a Wiki skookum

According to decrypted intercepts of German naval communications with Japan, U-864's mission was to transport military equipment to Japan destined for the Japanese military industry, including approximately 67 tons of metallic mercury in 1,857 32kg steel flasks stored in her keel. That the mercury was contained in steel canisters was confirmed when one of the canisters containing mercury was located and brought to the surface during surveys on her wreck in 2005. Approximately 1,500 tons of mercury was purchased by the Japanese from Italy between 1942 and Italy's surrender in September 1943. This had the highest priority for submarine shipment to Japan and was used in the manufacture of explosives, most especially primers.

Thomen · 01-30-09, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skookum

http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/21562/26/

This article says the submarine contains 65 tons of mercury. 65 TONS!!! I don't mean to sound skeptical but that's a hell of a lot of mercury to have in one place. Why would a u-boat have 65 tons of mercury on board?

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=144350

http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=147555

GoldenRivet · 01-30-09, 04:33 PM

There was a thermometer shortage in japan in late ww2.

it was an urgent delivery.

unfortunately they were all rectal thermometers

mookiemookie · 01-30-09, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

There was a thermometer shortage in japan in late ww2.

it was an urgent delivery.

unfortunately they were all rectal thermometers

The U.S. sub fleet made do and provided the IJN with torpedoes to use in place of those rectal thermometers

.

A Very Super Market · 01-30-09, 10:01 PM

The general confusement over how to exactly use those US-supplied rectal thermometors contributed to the Japanese surrender..

GoldenRivet · 01-31-09, 12:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

There was a thermometer shortage in japan in late ww2.

it was an urgent delivery.

unfortunately they were all rectal thermometers

The U.S. sub fleet made do and provided the IJN with torpedoes to use in place of those rectal thermometers

.

i like it!

Platapus · 01-31-09, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

The U.S. sub fleet made do and provided the IJN with torpedoes to use in place of those rectal thermometers

.

You may feel a slight cramping..

GoldenRivet · 01-31-09, 02:55 PM

now... your going to feel a little pinch followed by some slight pressure hahahaha

TheDudTorpedo · 01-31-09, 06:30 PM

Remember too that mercury is 13.5 times more dense than water. So, whilst you need 67 cubic metres to store 67 tonnes of water, you only require 4 cubic metres to store 67 tonnes of mercury. Easy enough to find on a U-boat I imagine.

Thomen · 01-31-09, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDudTorpedo

Remember too that mercury is 13.5 times more dense than water. So, whilst you need 67 cubic metres to store 67 tonnes of water, you only require 4 cubic metres to store 67 tonnes of mercury. Easy enough to find on a U-boat I imagine.

It was usually stored as ballast in the keel and kept in steel flasks or steel bottles if it needed to be transported or shipped via u-boat.

PBV · 02-01-09, 09:26 AM

And if stored in the bow it sure helps your dive-time I imagine

harzfeld · 02-05-09, 08:20 PM

That's alot of mercury. I am surprise it didn't bring that boat to bottom. It like 4x sloops of 15 tons each to fit into a U-boat. It probably had to use more fuel to carry all of that mercury. I think they better get all mercury out before the boat rust away cuz of pollution hazards. Mercury gets on seafoods, then people eat them, then they are going to have some kids with mental and health problems.

01-30-09, 03:50 PM	#1
skookum Weps Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 351 Downloads: 35 Uploads: 0	This doesn't seem right. http://www.norwaypost.no/content/view/21562/26/ This article says the submarine contains 65 tons of mercury. 65 TONS!!! I don't mean to sound skeptical but that's a hell of a lot of mercury to have in one place. Why would a u-boat have 65 tons of mercury on board? __________________

01-30-09, 03:53 PM	#2
She-Wolf Watchdog Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Hampshire UK Posts: 971 Downloads: 152 Uploads: 0	see this para from a Wiki skookum According to decrypted intercepts of German naval communications with Japan, U-864's mission was to transport military equipment to Japan destined for the Japanese military industry, including approximately 67 tons of metallic mercury in 1,857 32kg steel flasks stored in her keel. That the mercury was contained in steel canisters was confirmed when one of the canisters containing mercury was located and brought to the surface during surveys on her wreck in 2005. Approximately 1,500 tons of mercury was purchased by the Japanese from Italy between 1942 and Italy's surrender in September 1943. This had the highest priority for submarine shipment to Japan and was used in the manufacture of explosives, most especially primers. __________________

01-30-09, 04:33 PM	#4
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	There was a thermometer shortage in japan in late ww2. it was an urgent delivery. unfortunately they were all rectal thermometers __________________

01-30-09, 10:01 PM	#6
A Very Super Market The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Deep in the Wild Canadian suburbs. Posts: 1,468 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The general confusement over how to exactly use those US-supplied rectal thermometors contributed to the Japanese surrender.. __________________ The entire German garrison of Vanviken, right here in your thread!

01-31-09, 02:55 PM	#9
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	now... your going to feel a little pinch followed by some slight pressure hahahaha __________________

01-31-09, 06:30 PM	#10
TheDudTorpedo Machinist's Mate Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Adelaide, Australia Posts: 128 Downloads: 23 Uploads: 0	Remember too that mercury is 13.5 times more dense than water. So, whilst you need 67 cubic metres to store 67 tonnes of water, you only require 4 cubic metres to store 67 tonnes of mercury. Easy enough to find on a U-boat I imagine.

02-01-09, 09:26 AM	#12
PBV Watch Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 21 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	And if stored in the bow it sure helps your dive-time I imagine __________________ A Kaleun I was meant to be Trim the boat and roam the sea!

02-05-09, 08:20 PM	#13
harzfeld Electrician's Mate Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 135 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	That's alot of mercury. I am surprise it didn't bring that boat to bottom. It like 4x sloops of 15 tons each to fit into a U-boat. It probably had to use more fuel to carry all of that mercury. I think they better get all mercury out before the boat rust away cuz of pollution hazards. Mercury gets on seafoods, then people eat them, then they are going to have some kids with mental and health problems.