Changing Torpedoes rear tube to front

I missed this thread first time around. I served on the USS Carp (SS 338) in the 60s and we fired dummy torpedos(no explosives) all the time. My job was to go into the water with a line and attach it to the torpedo, it would be floated over the boat while the boat was partially submerged. Basically, I would pull it over the deck with the deck 2-3 ft under water. After surfacing the torpedo loading hatch would be opened, the rigging set up and the torpedo would be lowered just as it was done in port. They would then set up the torp and fire it again.

Urge

[Nuc]

Originally Posted by Urge

we fired dummy torpedos(no explosives) all the time. My job was to go into the water with a line and attach it to the torpedo,

Great anecdotes It probably should be noted that unlike a warshot, the exercise torpedos are designed to float (although they don't always).

I certainly would like to hear from the modders what if anything can be done to put this capability in the game.

[Jan Kyster]

Okay, been reading the War Patrol Logs to see if I could find reference in there. These are the results for the above mentioned boats...

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USS Rasher SS-269

No mention of transferring torpedoes in War Report.

Only a normal dock in Darwin for resupply. Noted that a complete load of 18 torpedoes, fuel, water and food took less than 7 hours...

Another sidenote: Rasher had logged 40 (forty) aircraft contacts for that month...
12 contacts on 5th of June alone btw... a total of 110 for the entire fourth patrol!


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USS Puffer SS-268

From Summary:
"After picking off an ammunition loaded freighter in the Sulu Seas area, the PUFFER was left with nine torpedoes aboard. These were awkwardly distributed with four forward and five aft, so she pulled clear of the coast and skillfully effected the hazardous shift of two torpedoes from after to forward torpedo rooms."

In War Report, Fifth War Patrol, pg. 216:
"7 August.
1245-55 Torpedo hit M.O.T. the only way to describe this sinking is that the target disintegrated in a cloud of smoke. He must have been loaded with gasoline or ammunition for he literally blow to pieces."
1904 Surface with SAMPOAK POINT bearing 134T, distant 12.5 miles.
2145 Commenced transfer of two torpedoes from the after torpedoe room to the forward torpedo room.
8 August
0107 Completed the transfer of two torpedoes to the forward room. This ticklish job was carefully planned and efficiently accomplished by Lieut. F. G. GOLAY, USNR and Lieut. W. M. PUGH, USN with volunteers from the deck force and torpedo force respectively, all under supervision of the EXecutive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. C. R. DWYER, USN."

No further detail in report.


Also found this little sketch in the report:




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USS Gudgeon SS-211

Sidenotes from "Summary":
"27. January. The Gudgeon sank a surfaced enemy submarine, making her the first U.S. submarine in history to sink an enemy combatant ship."

"28. March. at 0734 she recontacted the small armed merchantman which she had unsuccessfully attacked on 13 March. The sub closed the target and fired a brace of torpedoes, one of which passed under the now revealed "Q" ship. Swinging around she fired another torpedo, but the target was alerted and avoided the missile by manouvering.
The sub sought the oceans depths, rigged for depth charge attack and commenced silent running. The "Q"-ship dropped fourteen accurately placed depth charges, which caused extensive minor damage. Shortly thereafter the enemy ship was joined by a destroyer and following a prolonged search, the submarine was able to clear the vicinity undetected."
(see pg. 77 for tech. info)

The War Report also had this attached:




Page 297-300 (in part I) have notes concerning a landing party. Page 1-4 in part II have evalution notes reg. same landing party... skipper not too happy...

Part II, pg. 51
"April 28, 1943
0104:20 Fired spread of four torpedoes, the last torpedoes we have forward.
April 29, 1943
1900 H Surfaced. Made all preparations for transferring torpedoes tomorrow night. It was necessary to rerig both forward and after kingposts which had been taken down. This job proved to be equally as hard and as long as the actual transfer of the torpedoes.
April 30, 1943
1900 H Surfaced. Completed special mission. *)
This evening under cover of darkness transferred three torpedoes from the after torpedo room to the forward torpedo room. This was accomplished by lashing three 7 man rubber boats together and using them to float the torpedoes forward. About four hours were required to complete the job but it is believed that this time may be materially reduced with a little practice as the last two were moved in abaout the same time as was required for the first one alone."


*) The "Special Mission Report" can be found on pg 82 onwards. Landing party, 4 men and 6000 pounds of equipment landed on Panay.

@Rockin Robbins: Lockwood signed the report. Apparently he must have approved it, no remarks whatsoever...

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USS Sculpin SS-191

No mention of torpedo transfers found. But some sidenotes:

25 February, 1942 hunting enemy submarine.... pg. 33 and 49.

Not often you see intelligence reports being mentioned, from pg. 133:
"4 October, 1942
Decripted CTF 42 dispatch 131310 (serial 91) which contains the aformation that a supply ship from Rabaul is expected to arrive at Aviong at noon today. Altered course to intercept."

Pg. 235, under "Remarks" it's noted:
"Enough has been said heretofore concerning the torpedo performance. At this writing it appears the the Commanding Officer exceeded his authority in inactivating the influence feature on the last eight exploders. This he deeply regrets. However from his viewpoint it seemed the only possible course of action. The exploders in question had been altered with a view to increasing their sensitivity. It would seem that this alteration is perhaps a shade too successful."

Pg. 276-280 is "The story of the last engagement of the USS Sculpin as submitted to Captain Hemsel (OP23C) on 1 October, 1945".
Pg. 282-285 is an excerpt from "United States Submarine losses" page 70-72.


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Originally Posted by Thunder

In the book "u boat war patrol" aptain "Teddy" Suhren managed it (in the Atlantic gap)....

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