The weapon I want on my sub.

Darksun · 09-17-08, 04:59 PM

So I am curious about why U-Boats didn't have stronger counter measures against depth charge dropping boats.

Everytime I hear a DD reving up to drop depth charges I wished I had some float charges. I just want some explosives I can release to near the surface with magnetic triggers. Basically just the torpedo warhead attached to a float. Release two to four of them in the path of a DD on it's way to drop charges on me.

Based on the weapons and technology the Uboats used it seems like a pretty viable weapon system. The would be a lot smaller than torpedos and could cripple or sink an escort. They would be especially deadly at night when the DD crew wouldn't see them. The Uboat could then get away.

It just seems so "obvious" to me that a uboat could really use something with a little more punch than just "run silent, run deep". Once they got you with ASDIC, you are in terrible trouble. Shooting a stern shot "down the throat" is OK, but you have to work pretty hard to get a solution. Something like the decoy launcher could launch a float strait up with little trouble. Heck, replace my deck gun with a surface charge launcher after about 1942.

-D

GoldenRivet · 09-17-08, 05:02 PM

but the moment you get caught on the surface by a small armed merchant it would only take one good hit to one of those float charges and your done...

also... would the float charges be strong enough to withstand the diving depth of the sub.

for example, if the sub's test depth was 165 meters.... but the charges could go no deeper than 50 meters... whats the point?

Letum · 09-17-08, 05:03 PM

It makes sense to me.
They must have thought about it.

Letum · 09-17-08, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

but the moment you get caught on the surface by a small armed merchant it would only take one good hit to one of those float charges and your done...

also... would the float charges be strong enough to withstand the diving depth of the sub.

for example, if the sub's test depth was 165 meters.... but the charges could go no deeper than 50 meters... whats the point?

They would be as safe as external torpedoes. And external torps can cope with any
depth, so a simple mine should have no problem.

GoldenRivet · 09-17-08, 05:08 PM

but as you said... they must have thought about it... the question is.

why was it not implemented?

answer that question and you'll know why they didnt have them.

Letum · 09-17-08, 05:21 PM

Here is a lead:

1942 US patent for a Floating submarine mine to be "launched in the path of a pursuing ship"

onelifecrisis · 09-17-08, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoldenRivet

but as you said... they must have thought about it... the question is.

why was it not implemented?

answer that question and you'll know why they didnt have them.

So, we're back where we/Darksun started.

Task Force · 09-17-08, 05:59 PM

couldnt they have bomb proof the decks. make them shaped so the shock waves go up. or a DC that did the oppisate of sinking and would blow up on contact with a ship.:hmm:

Letum · 09-17-08, 06:09 PM

I want acoustic torpedo mines. You drop them outside a port and they wait until
they hear a ship. when they do; they chase it.

richardphat · 09-17-08, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

I want acoustic torpedo mines. You drop them outside a port and they wait until
they hear a ship. when they do; they chase it.

You forget about friendly ship which heads into the port?!??! Boom:hmm: :hmm:
Nice negative renown!

Letum · 09-17-08, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardphat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

I want acoustic torpedo mines. You drop them outside a port and they wait until
they hear a ship. when they do; they chase it.

You forget about friendly ship which heads into the port?!??! Boom:hmm: :hmm:
Nice negative renown!

....I doubt the Bismark is gonna sail in to Plymouth.

GoldenRivet · 09-17-08, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardphat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

I want acoustic torpedo mines. You drop them outside a port and they wait until
they hear a ship. when they do; they chase it.

You forget about friendly ship which heads into the port?!??! Boom:hmm: :hmm:
Nice negative renown!

....I doubt the Bismark is gonna sail in to Plymouth.

thinking like that is going to lose us this war sailor! :rotfl:

bookworm_020 · 09-17-08, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

Quote:

Originally Posted by richardphat

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

I want acoustic torpedo mines. You drop them outside a port and they wait until
they hear a ship. when they do; they chase it.

You forget about friendly ship which heads into the port?!??! Boom:hmm: :hmm:
Nice negative renown!

....I doubt the Bismark is gonna sail in to Plymouth.

But with Bernard on the crew anything is possible!

Darksun · 09-17-08, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Letum

Here is a lead:

1942 US patent for a Floating submarine mine to be "launched in the path of a pursuing ship"

I can't load the link.

But some ace detective work there Letum!

Letum · 09-17-08, 07:40 PM

You need this plugin. Read the instructions first.

09-17-08, 04:59 PM	#1
Darksun Sailor man Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 49 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The weapon I want on my sub. So I am curious about why U-Boats didn't have stronger counter measures against depth charge dropping boats. Everytime I hear a DD reving up to drop depth charges I wished I had some float charges. I just want some explosives I can release to near the surface with magnetic triggers. Basically just the torpedo warhead attached to a float. Release two to four of them in the path of a DD on it's way to drop charges on me. Based on the weapons and technology the Uboats used it seems like a pretty viable weapon system. The would be a lot smaller than torpedos and could cripple or sink an escort. They would be especially deadly at night when the DD crew wouldn't see them. The Uboat could then get away. It just seems so "obvious" to me that a uboat could really use something with a little more punch than just "run silent, run deep". Once they got you with ASDIC, you are in terrible trouble. Shooting a stern shot "down the throat" is OK, but you have to work pretty hard to get a solution. Something like the decoy launcher could launch a float strait up with little trouble. Heck, replace my deck gun with a surface charge launcher after about 1942. -D __________________ "[A submarine's] seaworthyness is unlimited and is, in this respect, in a stronger position than surface ships..." - U-Boat Commander's Handbook.

09-17-08, 05:02 PM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	but the moment you get caught on the surface by a small armed merchant it would only take one good hit to one of those float charges and your done... also... would the float charges be strong enough to withstand the diving depth of the sub. for example, if the sub's test depth was 165 meters.... but the charges could go no deeper than 50 meters... whats the point? __________________

09-17-08, 05:03 PM	#3
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	It makes sense to me. They must have thought about it. __________________

09-17-08, 05:08 PM	#5
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	but as you said... they must have thought about it... the question is. why was it not implemented? answer that question and you'll know why they didnt have them. __________________

09-17-08, 05:21 PM	#6
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	Here is a lead: 1942 US patent for a Floating submarine mine to be "launched in the path of a pursuing ship" __________________

09-17-08, 05:59 PM	#8
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	couldnt they have bomb proof the decks. make them shaped so the shock waves go up. or a DC that did the oppisate of sinking and would blow up on contact with a ship.:hmm: __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

09-17-08, 06:09 PM	#9
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	I want acoustic torpedo mines. You drop them outside a port and they wait until they hear a ship. when they do; they chase it. __________________

09-17-08, 07:40 PM	#15
Letum Navy Seal Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: York - UK Posts: 6,079 Downloads: 43 Uploads: 0	You need this plugin. Read the instructions first. __________________