Deep!

[Bosje]

U 161 lost with all hands

Januari 10th, 1943.
200 km off the US east coast

U161 (edit: Type IXC on her 12th patrol) attacks a convoy in calm seas with clear weather, attack from periscope depth in the night.
spread of 4, each torpedo aimed at the bow of a big ship.
started evasive action while torpedoes were running (mistake)
Escort became aware of our presence and the convoy slowed down, turning away from us.
only 1 hit out of 4, a torpedo clipped the very front of the ship.

depth only 40 meters when the escorts came in for attack,

We increased speed while diving deep and turning away from the escort, depth charges all around us but we were still diving, only a lot of near misses, no damage to the boat.

as we passed 150 meters we slowed down to silent running with rudder 10 port or starboard as we crept down.

at 180 meters we were pinged but after many runs we weren't too concerned, trusting in the twisting and turning and diving to keep us safe.

suddenly, a big crash and water rushed into the boat everywhere, silent running aborted and engines revved up as the crew rushed to damage control.

almost immediately, our depth started to increase dramatically while damage reports came in.

heavy flooding in the rear torpedo room, diesel and electric engine rooms and rear crew quarters.

the LI left his station to take charge of damage control, the boat was tilting heavily: stern was deep down. depth increased rapidly.

passed 290 meters, the pressure hull was failing. crew worked hard on damage control, flooding was almost under control but the boat was dropping out of control.

all ahead flank with planes up for surfacing, blew ballast

depth went rapidly from 350, 360, 370, 380.
flooding under control in engine rooms, switched focus to stern torpedo room
in the control room, instruments are shattering everywhere, glass is breaking and the hull is audibly starting to collapse

compressed air at 50%, depth still increasing.
blew ballast again, speed measured no longer reverse knots, speed stopped and then very slowly increased. boat now moving forward at a severe angle, stern is pointing way down, water level in stern compartments is still critical

passed 400 meters, damage almost under control, 20% compressed air remaining

boat still heavily tilted rear down, speed increasing to 2 knots (ahead flank), lights and gauges all around us are shattered

hull is failing but boat has finally stopped at 407 meters, now very slowy getting back up, 406 now.

pressure hull failure,
game over.


**** i almost thought i made it! damage under control and boat is climbing up again! 407 meters and living to tell the tale...
that would have been something

ah well

a new career for Bosje
thankfully it's just a game