Ports

lukterran · 05-03-16, 09:34 AM

I was wondering what kind of dangers are involved in attacking a port.

I have done a few Recon Missions but not really any port attacks.

Are there just the normal few destroyers or does SH4 have subnets, port guns and mines as well? Also what kind of ships can be found in port.

All I have seen are a few merchants ships and very small coastal vessels. Are there large aircraft carriers and other warships?

Which ports have water depth close and deep enough for a submerged attack (deep water with in torp range of about 8k)? How do you dive to periscope depth if you only have 50ft under keel when running on the surface?

slipf18 · 05-03-16, 06:20 PM

The ports are too easy actually.

I don't know of any deep water ports. Mostly it is shallow. You can be at periscope depth but usually have less than 10 feet under the keel.

Most of them just have some subchasers and gun boats. The problem is that they will not come after you. They will shoot at you from the dock though. These ports will have some merchants docked. Occasionally a destroyer. For instance I went into Saigon and Vau Tung (only because I have actually been there IRL) and there is an active destroyer.

On the main island of Japan there are warships in some of those well protected ports (Kobe comes to mind). There are active destroyers in some of these but if you get past them it is easy picking and the warships don't fight back. I have not gone up Tokyo Bay. I considered it but was met with 4 aggressive destroyers at the entrance.

lukterran · 05-04-16, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slipf18

The ports are too easy actually.

I don't know of any deep water ports. Mostly it is shallow. You can be at periscope depth but usually have less than 10 feet under the keel.

Most of them just have some subchasers and gun boats. The problem is that they will not come after you. They will shoot at you from the dock though. These ports will have some merchants docked. Occasionally a destroyer. For instance I went into Saigon and Vau Tung (only because I have actually been there IRL) and there is an active destroyer.

On the main island of Japan there are warships in some of those well protected ports (Kobe comes to mind). There are active destroyers in some of these but if you get past them it is easy picking and the warships don't fight back. I have not gone up Tokyo Bay. I considered it but was met with 4 aggressive destroyers at the entrance.

Well I guess if I am ever up in the Mainland area I might pop in for a visit and see if any warships are in the harbor. 4 Escorts in very shallow water sounds like a challenge.

However, I guess I will leave the other ports alone. A few merchants ships isn't worth attacking IMO.

I am actually disappointed they didn't add in sub nets and mine fields into the game.

Hambone307 · 05-05-16, 12:20 PM

I made it into Tokyo Bay once. Won't ever do that one again. Took me almost two hours real time to get past those same 4 destroyers while sustaining some damage from the DC's. I was quite disappointed to only find a few merchants and a CA that was protected by shallow water and a pier... That adventure ended up being a one way trip in the end. In a brief lapse of concentration, I surfaced within the firing range of three shore guns.

mikesn9 · 05-06-16, 06:34 AM

I had "photo mission" there.. took a while to get it done. I sank 2 of those DD's Damaged the other 2 and they limped off, just gave up.. From then on it was not too bad. Watch out for shore batteries too. Best to stay down until you know you are far enough away to go to decks-awash to charge.

I had to use waaay too many Torpedoes to make it really worth while.

Raptor_Pilot · 05-06-16, 05:52 PM

Melekeok is a good deep-water port to pick up some free tonnage, but you cannot approach it surfaced because of multiple shore guns.

Your biggest danger when attacking a port is shore-based gun emplacements, and aircraft patrols.
I've never been caught by a destroyer patrol except at Scapa Flow in SH3. Most of the time you'll hear them coming before they can detect you.

I've never seen mines or submarine nets in SH4, although, I haven't exactly been everywhere yet.
As a general rule, I don't bother attacking a port unless I'm confident I can get in and out safely.

05-03-16, 09:34 AM	#1
lukterran Loader Join Date: Apr 2016 Posts: 84 Downloads: 7 Uploads: 0	Ports I was wondering what kind of dangers are involved in attacking a port. I have done a few Recon Missions but not really any port attacks. Are there just the normal few destroyers or does SH4 have subnets, port guns and mines as well? Also what kind of ships can be found in port. All I have seen are a few merchants ships and very small coastal vessels. Are there large aircraft carriers and other warships? Which ports have water depth close and deep enough for a submerged attack (deep water with in torp range of about 8k)? How do you dive to periscope depth if you only have 50ft under keel when running on the surface? Last edited by lukterran; 05-03-16 at 02:48 PM.

05-03-16, 06:20 PM	#2
slipf18 Sailor man Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 44 Downloads: 10 Uploads: 0	The ports are too easy actually. I don't know of any deep water ports. Mostly it is shallow. You can be at periscope depth but usually have less than 10 feet under the keel. Most of them just have some subchasers and gun boats. The problem is that they will not come after you. They will shoot at you from the dock though. These ports will have some merchants docked. Occasionally a destroyer. For instance I went into Saigon and Vau Tung (only because I have actually been there IRL) and there is an active destroyer. On the main island of Japan there are warships in some of those well protected ports (Kobe comes to mind). There are active destroyers in some of these but if you get past them it is easy picking and the warships don't fight back. I have not gone up Tokyo Bay. I considered it but was met with 4 aggressive destroyers at the entrance. __________________ USS Growler (SS 215) February 7, 1943

05-05-16, 12:20 PM	#4
Hambone307 Planesman Join Date: Jun 2014 Posts: 188 Downloads: 93 Uploads: 0	I made it into Tokyo Bay once. Won't ever do that one again. Took me almost two hours real time to get past those same 4 destroyers while sustaining some damage from the DC's. I was quite disappointed to only find a few merchants and a CA that was protected by shallow water and a pier... That adventure ended up being a one way trip in the end. In a brief lapse of concentration, I surfaced within the firing range of three shore guns. __________________ ____ I can't tell if I have found a rope or lost my horse.

05-06-16, 06:34 AM	#5
mikesn9 Sonar Guy Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Sarasota Florida Posts: 391 Downloads: 68 Uploads: 0	I had "photo mission" there.. took a while to get it done. I sank 2 of those DD's Damaged the other 2 and they limped off, just gave up.. From then on it was not too bad. Watch out for shore batteries too. Best to stay down until you know you are far enough away to go to decks-awash to charge. I had to use waaay too many Torpedoes to make it really worth while.

05-06-16, 05:52 PM	#6
Raptor_Pilot WORST. KALEUN. EVER. Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Alton, NH Posts: 61 Downloads: 68 Uploads: 0	Melekeok is a good deep-water port to pick up some free tonnage, but you cannot approach it surfaced because of multiple shore guns. Your biggest danger when attacking a port is shore-based gun emplacements, and aircraft patrols. I've never been caught by a destroyer patrol except at Scapa Flow in SH3. Most of the time you'll hear them coming before they can detect you. I've never seen mines or submarine nets in SH4, although, I haven't exactly been everywhere yet. As a general rule, I don't bother attacking a port unless I'm confident I can get in and out safely.