Where are fuel in snorkel status indicators? Shortcut to Conning Tower?

[zygoma]

Hiya, folks. I'm still running SH3, and after I wipe the HD and re-install XP Pro in my "real" machine (I got a virus ) I'll try GWX (dunno if I can run it in a separate directory from plain ol' SH3....
However, my questions are simple, I believe.
The only place I can see my fuel state is by clicking on the CE's face, then clicking on the "reports" icon (far right), and see battery charge, compressed air, breathing air quality, and what looks like a snap of a sight glass next to a bulkhead somewhere in the boat, with some valveworks next to it.
I know where the dial gauges are for the first three, but where in the boat does the fuel level sight glass appear? I'm assuming it's in the diesel engine room (although I realize I'm not really even sure where the fuel tanks are). I was driving a VIIB for quite awhile, then upgraded to a IXC boat.
And is there an indicator, or even some visible hardware linkage in the Command Room that shows the position of the snorkel (or schnorkel) ?
I know that if I'm running on diesels whilst submerged, my schnorkel must be deployed, or I'll be lowering the atmospheric pressure inside the pressure hull, popping ears, and using up breathable air at quite a rapid rate. Indeed, the game seems to change automatically to electrics within a few moments of submerging, and moving the crew to the appropriate engine room.
I've taken to running my observation periscope up partway and pointing it at about 45 degrees relative so it sees the schnorkel head, but of course I have to remember to look to see it's up.
What trips me up is that it's another thing to have to remember to do when aircraft and surface vessels draw nigh, for fear of giving them an easy target. And if I'm trying to move quickly *without* staring into one of the scopes and constantly sweeping the skies for big metal birds, I easily forget while I'm moving around the guys who can't even stand a dog watch without a nap, that I've got a big radar target slicing a wake above my boat.
So, is there an indicator in the Command Room that says, basically, "Yep, it's up there, bringing in air *and* bombs" ?
Third thought, since I'm on a roll, it's 0400 local and there is a major thunderstorm (golfball-size hail) outside right now.....
The only way I know to get into the conning tower is to go into the Command Room, look up at the hatch to the conning tower, and click on its hatch. Is there a shortcut that will put me there quicker?
Some stuff there is just cooler, like torpedo tube door switches and the "auto update" button, all within easy reach.
Oh! A fourth question: In the conning tower and command room, and I think Radio, there are what look like wine bottles in bulkhead retainer brackets. My first guess, oddly (but not for a retired firefighter/paramedic), was that they're carbon tetrachloride fire extinguishers, to be easily unhooked and either poured onto, or thrown into, a fire without deploying hoses. They've been outlawed in the US for years for being, among other things, carcinogens, but I remember having them on board our ambulances and pumpers, as well as in my home.
I suppose they could be drinking water, but where's the fun in that?
I see there are cans attached to the bulkhead below the watertight hatch in the radio room heading to the command room; presumably they're acid for the small batteries in the commo rooms, or oil for basically *nothing* in the commo spaces, or just spare alcohol fuel for the torps forward of comms.....
Inquiring minds wanna know.....for practical matters, the schnorkel indicator. Rest of the stuff is just cuz, well, with the thunder pounding and keeping the dogs (and me) awake, I've got time to ponder stuff like this.
<sigh!> The life of the Perpetual n00b!
diddly dahdidah
Zygoma
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