underwater mines approaching scapa

[Jimbuna]

The British did lay a large minefield (as well as among other areas) almost the entire length of the east coast.

The North Sea has very dark water, therefore in RL raising the periscope whilst submerged would allow you to see perhaps a few feet beyond the bow of your sub.

Anything else IMO is simply unrealistic.

[_Seth_]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

The British did lay a large minefield (as well as among other areas) almost the entire length of the east coast.

The North Sea has very dark water, therefore in RL raising the periscope whilst submerged would allow you to see perhaps a few feet beyond the bow of your sub.

Anything else IMO is simply unrealistic.

Jim, do you know if it's possible to get a map over the allied minefields of WWII around the islands (GB, Ireland, Orkney & Shetlands) ?
I suppose that the Germans in addition dropped mines from aircrafts around the allied harbours, to destroy allied shipping. But these mines could do damage to a german sub aswell, could'nt it?

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by karamazovnew

O Didn't they have a maximum depth at which they could raise the perisope without the lens cracking from the pressure?

To prevent lens cracking, I don't think so. In looking at the schematics of the Type VII, the objective lens (end that sticks out of the water) is always exposed to the pressure that is exerted by the depth of the submarine.

Even when it is fully retracted, the objective end is in a protective sheath but still exposed to the water and its pressure. This means that the periscope lens was designed to withstand the pressures that the submarine was designed to withstand.

However, that does not mean that the periscope could be extended at any depth. It is not the lens cracking that would be worrisome but the seals leaking. When the periscope is fully retracted, a special heavy-duty seal is engaged to help protect the smaller seals. When extending the periscope at depth, the many small seals may be subject to a pressure they were not designed for.

So from a seal integrity standpoint, I am sure there was a maximum depth in which the periscope could be safely extended. But not one for the lens cracking.

In looking at the design of the periscopes, I would imagine the submarine would crack before the lens would crack.

As for being able to see underwater through the periscope, that would be dependent on the light available. One could see much better looking up through the water against the light background of the sky (during day of course) than one could see looking in front where the background is banal.

At depths of about 30 meters, it gets pretty dark/murky at times. I seriously doubt you could see a tethered mine far enough to be able to take evasive action.

Now if you were on the side of the good guys (Americans) you might have had access to the OL and OLA special purpose sonars which were designed to find underwater objects such as mines.

[Leandros]

Originally Posted by Platapus

To prevent lens cracking, I don't think so. In looking at the schematics of the Type VII, the objective lens (end that sticks out of the water) is always exposed to the pressure that is exerted by the depth of the submarine.

Even when it is fully retracted, the objective end is in a protective sheath but still exposed to the water and its pressure. This means that the periscope lens was designed to withstand the pressures that the submarine was designed to withstand.

However, that does not mean that the periscope could be extended at any depth. It is not the lens cracking that would be worrisome but the seals leaking. When the periscope is fully retracted, a special heavy-duty seal is engaged to help protect the smaller seals. When extending the periscope at depth, the many small seals may be subject to a pressure they were not designed for.

So from a seal integrity standpoint, I am sure there was a maximum depth in which the periscope could be safely extended. But not one for the lens cracking.

In looking at the design of the periscopes, I would imagine the submarine would crack before the lens would crack.

As for being able to see underwater through the periscope, that would be dependent on the light available. One could see much better looking up through the water against the light background of the sky (during day of course) than one could see looking in front where the background is banal.

At depths of about 30 meters, it gets pretty dark/murky at times. I seriously doubt you could see a tethered mine far enough to be able to take evasive action.

Now if you were on the side of the good guys (Americans) you might have had access to the OL and OLA special purpose sonars which were designed to find underwater objects such as mines.

Good info!

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by _Seth_

Jim, do you know if it's possible to get a map over the allied minefields of WWII around the islands (GB, Ireland, Orkney & Shetlands) ?
I suppose that the Germans in addition dropped mines from aircrafts around the allied harbours, to destroy allied shipping. But these mines could do damage to a german sub aswell, could'nt it?

I've a few sets of Admiralty Mine Charts but they are of the south, south east and east coasts.

They may also be copyrighted ....I'm not entirely sure

The Germand did indeed drop mines from aircraft, but mainly from subs and Schnellbootes and U-boats, but nothing like in the numbers the Allies did.

[_Seth_]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I've a few sets of Admiralty Mine Charts but they are of the south, south east and east coasts.

They may also be copyrighted ....I'm not entirely sure

The Germand did indeed drop mines from aircraft, but mainly from subs and Schnellbootes and U-boats, but nothing like in the numbers the Allies did.

Thanx for the info, matey Btw; is the minefields in GWX historical accurate? maybe someone could make a map over those minefields. Doesnt need to be 100% accurate, but it could say "possible minefield" or something, with some schratched out area..

[danlisa]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

I've a few sets of Admiralty Mine Charts but they are of the south, south east and east coasts.

They may also be copyrighted ....I'm not entirely sure

If they are from who I think they are , then yes they are. They are also still MOD property, so we don't have them do we?
@ Seth

Sure, people can make a map of minefields. Just open up the SCR layer in the mission editor and you'll see them.

[Jimbuna]

Give me a date (year and month) and area and I'll take a screenshot if you want

[Jimbuna]

Faroes minefields



Scapa Flow minefields

[meduza]

I passed south of Faroes many times, blissfully unaware of that minefield. I think I'll go north the next time.

[Jimbuna]

Best to be on the surface, but that in itself brings it's own risks.

[DaveU186]

Never knew about those ones either.

[_Seth_]

Thnx, Jim & Dan...Appreciated!
As you probably have guessed, i've had some....lets say..really close encounters with some of those minefields.... But nowing their exact location will be too "boring", if you catch my drift. Would be cool to have something like "possible minefield in area", just to keep you on your toes..

[Platapus]

Originally Posted by DaveU186

Never knew about those ones either.

Speaking for myself, Ignorance is bliss. I kinda wish I had not seen that map. I *used* to travel that area with no concerns.
Great, more stress, just what a Kaluen needs.

[Task Force]

I have seen some mines when doing my channel crossings. Also during harbor raids... 2 word... Stay away. Sub nets are nasty too.

(like I said jim... you zee nuthing. *with funny schultz voice)