Are ports worth sailing into?

[Eichenlaub]

I was wondering whether it was really worth to sail into an allied port? I entered Scapa Flow somewhere in spring 1941 and all I found was a Fiji Light Cruiser. I did have to sink 7-8 other warships to in- and exfiltrate (I play at 79% realism).

A recent foray into Gibraltar in the winter of the same year gave much the same results: I found one stationary T3 Tanker, a docked Coastal Merchant, a docked Hunt I and some ships that came hunting for me in the lagoon after I started blowing up the moored ships. All in all the trip in and out of Gibraltar (from St. Nazaire) was tiresome (loads of warship contacts) and netted too few results.

You see, I play without mods because of my poor pc specs ergo I must "score" 40,000 tons per patrol to really achieve something.

Are there any ports with decent targets? Any place where I can find some warships other than destroyers?

Kind regards,

Eichenlaub

[VonHelsching]

Using Grey Wolves.

I suggest Dover, early in the war. Two cruisers and one passenger liner...Don't go near the cost, though; lots of mines...

[STEED]

Originally Posted by Eichenlaub

I was wondering whether it was really worth to sail into an allied port?

Yes you never know you may hit jackpot.

[tycho102]

Early in the war, yes. It is worth looking into a port.

Late in the war...no. Definately no.

[Ducimus]

Are ports worth sneaking into?

Depends if your running a mod.

Generally speaking...yes.

[Khayman]

Using the Harbour Traffic mod you'll find a passenger liner in Freetown, along with C2's and other merchants. Early war there's only two asw trawlers so it's easy getting in and out. You'll get your 40,000 there no problem.

[SeaSpectre]

I was wondering if anyone else has ever experienced this:

I was sneaking into a harbor, last night, and there were three different ships in port. One of them, however, was already burning and sinking as if it had been torpedoed! Am I supposed to think that it's the result of another u-boat? Or is it just a glitch? (I don't run any mods, yet -- just stock v1.4b).

[Eichenlaub]

Seaspectre,

Yes, I have seen it at least twice now. A ship wrecked in low waters, often "standing" on her stern with fumes coming out of her. Don't know why this is, but could be part of the save game errors hard-coded into the game.

Another thing, when sneaking into a port, giving away your position by firing torpedoes can cause warships to set a straight course for your last known position resulting in them running themselves into the ground if a stretch of land is between you and the warships. Just yesterday, two warships self-destructed this way near Gibraltar...

To all:

So, the consensus is that entering ports will provide decent targets. Most of you however were using a mod, and I am not. Just stock with patch 1.4b. Still worth it?

Anyway, I shall try to penetrate Loch Ewe or something like that and see what shows up.

Kind regards,

Eichenlaub

[VonHelsching]

Originally Posted by Eichenlaub

So, the consensus is that entering ports will provide decent targets. Most of you however were using a mod, and I am not. Just stock with patch 1.4b. Still worth it?

For just 1.4b, try a search in old posts. You *will* find dates where ships are in port. I would also suggest to try at least the Unified Campaign for the Vanilla (stock) game (previous versions were called Harbour Traffic) .

Also I suggest to try an external application SH3Gen. Check Global Explorer's thread. It helps you locate ships (in ports too...)

[Umfuld]

I am just modding for the first time now. But I didn't get the 1.4b patch until a month or so ago.

I've always gone into ports. Mainly Scapa. It's worth it when you see a carrier sitting there, sure. But sometimes, there is nada, of course.

So for me it was always worth it, in the stock game. But it's not like I sank a prize every time. Not close to it.

But the chances of finding something nice (warship wise, anyway) are better than just out in the open waters, I feel.


Though the ultra shallow waters did start giving me a nervous condition I fear.

[Zyco]

I spent a few nights in Loch Ewe and I love it there! On one run home I stopped bye to check out the port and after taking out a few DDs a torp boat was out looking for me and it ended up near the shore where the guns are mounted.

I couldnt take the torp boat out because it was basically ashore and my trops would hit ground just before the boat. This did not make the boat even move tho, so I just left the evil place. I think the torp boat was trying to get me to surface so the Guns could take me out.. hehe :P

[andy_311]

Originally Posted by Zyco

I spent a few nights in Loch Ewe and I love it there! On one run home I stopped bye to check out the port and after taking out a few DDs a torp boat was out looking for me and it ended up near the shore where the guns are mounted.

I couldnt take the torp boat out because it was basically ashore and my trops would hit ground just before the boat. This did not make the boat even move tho, so I just left the evil place. I think the torp boat was trying to get me to surface so the Guns could take me out.. hehe :P

Iv'e lost count how many times Iv'e been in LE and I never had them shore guns open up on me.
I still think it's the best place for Capital ships.

[Umfuld]

Just went into Lock Ewe for the first time ever I think (maybe second, long ago, I dunno)

Just put 4 eels into a battleship. She hasn't sunk yet. But that's okay. I've got four more for her if she doesn't go down.

This'll be my first battleship ever if she does.

So yes. Yes ports are worth it.

On thing Eichenlaud, you say you sank 7-8 warships. You should try sneaking by without sinking them. Destroyers and patrol craft aren't much in the renown dept. You don't have to fire at them. Save your eels man.

[Zyco]

hehe.. its not about the points for me, if I come into a port I like to make sure I am the only one able to leave it

[Umfuld]

Sure sure. If I may continue this thread onto some other port questions:

As I've been saying all over the board, I just did some MODs a day or two ago.

I'm using GWs, SH Comndr, and SH Gen. These are enough for me at the moment, I reckon.

But I just want to know how you guys deal with subnets and mines. I've played the game for a year now and have never had to deal with these things.


Subnets: Can you float a little higher than PD, say 9 or 10 meters, and sail over them? Is that the best way, what?

Mines: I have no idea. Should I just not go near the shore anymore? Should I follow enemy ships in and out so I know the safe routes? What?


Help a skipper out!