Granville-type Freighters Depth Question

[Murr44]

When using magnetic fuses I always seem to have trouble setting the correct depth to deal with these ships. If I remember correctly the GWX 2.1 ship recognition manual says 6.2m. Yesterday in the Med I attacked one that was being escorted by 2 escorts (an L-class AA & a Black Swan). It was clear & dark with 2m waves and I crept up until I got within 1500m. I set my #2 tube (TI) to magnetic with a depth of slightly over 7m. It passed harmlessly under the target. I tried again with #3 tube (another TI) set for just under 7m. Same result. Two wasted eels! #4 tube held a TII which I set to impact & a depth of about 3 & 1/2 m. This one hit the mark & sank her. We submerged and left 2 very "angry" escorts looking fruitlessly for us.

My question is: "What is a good depth to set your torpedoes for when using magnetic fuses on Granville-type freighters?"

Thanks in advance...

[papa_smurf]

I usually set my magnetic pistols to about 1/2 a metre below a ships keel. This applies to all types of ships, and in the majority of cases results in a sinking. Also when attacking a target, aim just in front of the bridge, and this will improve the chances to sink a ship.

[Annatar]

I wouldn't use a magnetic pistol in 2m waves. I try to limit them to very calm conditions. Perhaps you'd want to stick to impacts in that sort or weather.

On the subject of torpedoes and depth - does SHIII/GWX model the armoured 'skirt' which many historical battleships had? If so, what effect do these have on damage taken?

[UnderseaLcpl]

My advice is to not use mags on Granvilles at all. If you are in a good firing position (perpendicular), use an impact torpedo set for 2m. For some reason, Granvilles tend to bob about much more you would think they would, being fairly good-sized ships.
Often, this results in the torpedo bouncing off the side or hitting the bottom of the ship and failing. The peculiar shape of the Granville's hull also has a very narrow keel breadth, resulting in only a split second where the eel is actually at the proper depth to detonate. I don't know how SH3 and GWX handle mags, but if it is a probability x time system, that could be a factor.

If, for some reason, you cannot obtain a good(perpendicular) firing position, you're already doing something wrong. Your hydrophones have such tremendous range that you should have plenty of time to plot a course, speed, and intercept.

Personally, I only ever use mags against escorts, because of their torpedo-deflecting hull shapes. My preference is the good ol' G7a with an impact fuse, two per merchant target over 3000 tons. Preferred attack range is 1000m or less, regardless of escort. It may be a bit of a plodding and rigid approach, but I've never had a G7a on impact detonate prematurely and I can count on one hand the number of times I miss in a given year. Pretty much the only time this approach wastes a torpedo is when the first one blows the ship to pieces immediately.

P.S., aim amidships on the Granvilles as well, no matter what you decide to do.
They totter like see-saws in and kind of weather other than flat calm.

[starbird]

You could try firing from a 70 degree angle or less, to give the magnetic exploder more time to detonate. I've had good luck with magnetics using them this way.

Of course, if the target is bobbing around, set the torpedo to minimum depth and impact.

[Laufen zum Ziel]

I set all mine to 3m and always get impact.

[irish1958]

I had mine set at 5m and went under with a magnetic pistol. No Kaboom.
Bummer... Wind 8m/s and seas moderate. The next one got it at the same settings.