Possible to survive this?

Kapt Z · 10-12-09, 08:37 PM

0450hrs
11July41
Quad EK??(don't remember the exact square)
Calm seas, light fog

U-123 returning to Lorient from successful South Atlantic patrol, 8 ships, 34000t. Four torpedoes remaining-2 forward, 2 aft.

Diesel engines malfunctioning with top speed of only 10 knots possible. No other damage.

Sighted two large vessels heading S at 9kts. Identified as hostile C2 and C3 cargo ships. Closed on the surface to 1300 m and fired both forward torpedoes one at each vessel. Leading C2 hit and sinks rapidly. C3 avoids torpedo and turns toward us, range now 990 m. Ordered back 1/3 and deck gun manned. Intend to slow down vessel with gunfire and finish her off with stern torpedo.

At this point I notice there is a deck gun on the bow of the C3.

Decided to chance it and opened fire anyway. Got off several shots that miss deck gun and after several return volleys they find the range and send a shell crashing into our hull just forward of the gun. Heavy flooding, but no system damage or crew casaulties. Damage control halts flooding and we fire stern torpedo in anger at fleeing ship which evades it and continues south.

So that is my situation. Trying to be as realistic as possible we are limping home on the surface as it would be impossible to dive the boat. If we make it back I intend to transfer a large number of the crew who were in the forward comparment and at the gun at the time of the hit off the boat. I'll pretend they were killed or wounded.

Now the as to the title of my post-

Do you think it is possible that a submarine could survive, even if just on the surface, after having it's pressure hull penetrated by a 4" shell? Or is it automatically doomed at that point?

I was thinking that since the ballast tanks were intact that if the surivors retreated to the control room and sealed the hatch could they pump compressed air into the forward comparment to hold the water at bay while at the surface?

Thanks for your ideas!

mookiemookie · 10-12-09, 09:05 PM

I suppose it would depend on other factors, but it wouldn't be out of the question.

Peter Cremer of U-333 took this home across the Atlantic:

Iranon · 10-13-09, 02:47 AM

Ships of all types have come back home safely after damage that should have been lethal.

Also, the way damage is handled isn't always perfect. We have to suck it up if it happens to our detriment, I don't see anything wrong with just writing things off to luck if we get away easily.
Adjusting one's behaviour - like refusing to dive if it would seem unsafe/suicidal in real life but the game allows it - is a good compromise.

Generally, gunfire is less lethal to relatively small ships (including submarines) than I would expect, but much of it is random; not sure about how realistic this is.
I've had torpedo boats exploding at the first hit. I've also had one seemingly unaffected by 11 hits, several of them at the waterline, and 2 secondary explosions. After the 12th hit it capsized but was still shooting at me somehow... bloody Tommies and their unquenchable fighting spirit.

cawimmer430 · 10-14-09, 11:21 AM

In one mission with my old trustworthy VIIC both my electric motors were destroyed beyond repair. I had no choice but to reach a friendly port via the diesels.

It's a miracle I encountered no enemy warships or aircraft on the way home. There is a god after all!

Kapt Z · 10-15-09, 08:49 AM

U-123 made it back to Lorient.

We were attacked by aircraft three times just north of the Spanish coast but between high speed evasive action, AA fire and poor aim on their part we managed to drive them off without further damage. A nice storm came up not long after and we made it the rest of the way without incident.

Hull integrity was found to be 88%. I transfered the gun crew(dead or wounded) and six other crew from forward compartment for same reason.

Yes, the gods are merciful.

Jimbuna · 10-15-09, 08:59 AM

BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!!

Kapt Z · 10-15-09, 02:43 PM

Hah!

Hah, hah!

Hah, hahahahahah!!!!!

evan82 · 10-15-09, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookiemookie

I suppose it would depend on other factors, but it wouldn't be out of the question.

Peter Cremer of U-333 took this home across the Atlantic:

If I remember corectly, he was smashed by ship?

Rhodes · 10-15-09, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evan82

If I remember corectly, he was smashed by ship?

No, he just tried to do a Nautilus sinking type!Eheheh

Lt.Fillipidis · 10-16-09, 12:08 PM

Actually, in real life, that shell could just bounce off if the angle was similar to what i make out of what you say. The game engine counts as "hit" all shots that make contant with the hull regardless the angle.
Its just like Iranon said.

10-12-09, 08:37 PM	#1
Kapt Z Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ...somewhere in the swamps of Jersey. Posts: 909 Downloads: 157 Uploads: 0	Possible to survive this? 0450hrs 11July41 Quad EK??(don't remember the exact square) Calm seas, light fog U-123 returning to Lorient from successful South Atlantic patrol, 8 ships, 34000t. Four torpedoes remaining-2 forward, 2 aft. Diesel engines malfunctioning with top speed of only 10 knots possible. No other damage. Sighted two large vessels heading S at 9kts. Identified as hostile C2 and C3 cargo ships. Closed on the surface to 1300 m and fired both forward torpedoes one at each vessel. Leading C2 hit and sinks rapidly. C3 avoids torpedo and turns toward us, range now 990 m. Ordered back 1/3 and deck gun manned. Intend to slow down vessel with gunfire and finish her off with stern torpedo. At this point I notice there is a deck gun on the bow of the C3. Decided to chance it and opened fire anyway. Got off several shots that miss deck gun and after several return volleys they find the range and send a shell crashing into our hull just forward of the gun. Heavy flooding, but no system damage or crew casaulties. Damage control halts flooding and we fire stern torpedo in anger at fleeing ship which evades it and continues south. So that is my situation. Trying to be as realistic as possible we are limping home on the surface as it would be impossible to dive the boat. If we make it back I intend to transfer a large number of the crew who were in the forward comparment and at the gun at the time of the hit off the boat. I'll pretend they were killed or wounded. Now the as to the title of my post- Do you think it is possible that a submarine could survive, even if just on the surface, after having it's pressure hull penetrated by a 4" shell? Or is it automatically doomed at that point? I was thinking that since the ballast tanks were intact that if the surivors retreated to the control room and sealed the hatch could they pump compressed air into the forward comparment to hold the water at bay while at the surface? Thanks for your ideas!

10-12-09, 09:05 PM	#2
mookiemookie Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 9,404 Downloads: 105 Uploads: 1	I suppose it would depend on other factors, but it wouldn't be out of the question. Peter Cremer of U-333 took this home across the Atlantic: __________________ They don’t think it be like it is, but it do. Want more U-boat Kaleun portraits for your SH3 Commander Profiles? Download the SH3 Commander Portrait Pack here.

10-15-09, 08:59 AM	#6
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,500 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	BE MORE AGGRESSIVE!! __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

10-13-09, 02:47 AM	#3
Iranon Loader Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 89 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	Ships of all types have come back home safely after damage that should have been lethal. Also, the way damage is handled isn't always perfect. We have to suck it up if it happens to our detriment, I don't see anything wrong with just writing things off to luck if we get away easily. Adjusting one's behaviour - like refusing to dive if it would seem unsafe/suicidal in real life but the game allows it - is a good compromise. Generally, gunfire is less lethal to relatively small ships (including submarines) than I would expect, but much of it is random; not sure about how realistic this is. I've had torpedo boats exploding at the first hit. I've also had one seemingly unaffected by 11 hits, several of them at the waterline, and 2 secondary explosions. After the 12th hit it capsized but was still shooting at me somehow... bloody Tommies and their unquenchable fighting spirit.

10-14-09, 11:21 AM	#4
cawimmer430 Torpedoman Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 114 Downloads: 3 Uploads: 0	In one mission with my old trustworthy VIIC both my electric motors were destroyed beyond repair. I had no choice but to reach a friendly port via the diesels. It's a miracle I encountered no enemy warships or aircraft on the way home. There is a god after all!

10-15-09, 08:49 AM	#5
Kapt Z Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ...somewhere in the swamps of Jersey. Posts: 909 Downloads: 157 Uploads: 0	U-123 made it back to Lorient. We were attacked by aircraft three times just north of the Spanish coast but between high speed evasive action, AA fire and poor aim on their part we managed to drive them off without further damage. A nice storm came up not long after and we made it the rest of the way without incident. Hull integrity was found to be 88%. I transfered the gun crew(dead or wounded) and six other crew from forward compartment for same reason. Yes, the gods are merciful.

10-15-09, 02:43 PM	#7
Kapt Z Grey Wolf Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ...somewhere in the swamps of Jersey. Posts: 909 Downloads: 157 Uploads: 0	Hah! Hah, hah! Hah, hahahahahah!!!!!

10-16-09, 12:08 PM	#10
Lt.Fillipidis Weps Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Veria, Greece Posts: 365 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Actually, in real life, that shell could just bounce off if the angle was similar to what i make out of what you say. The game engine counts as "hit" all shots that make contant with the hull regardless the angle. Its just like Iranon said.