S-Class skippers unite!

[U505995]

I never commanded an S-boat myself but with the way those blasted mk14's are acting I just might start a new career in one myself.

[Rammstein0991]

Word of advice, it can take you up to 3 or more torpedos to sink ships that the MK XIV sinks with 1-2, but beyond that its a good boat.

[TorpX]

I always liked the S-boats; mainly because I had good experiences with them in SHCE. Learning how to manually calculate firing solutions (without using the TDC), riding out depth charge attacks by angry destroyers, battling stormy seas; it was a rich learning experience.

from Sailor Steve:

Anyone who loves the sugar boat might get a kick out of this old thread too.

I'm glad you posted that, it kind of took me back.

[Rammstein0991]

Originally Posted by TorpX

I always liked the S-boats; mainly because I had good experiences with them in SHCE. Learning how to manually calculate firing solutions (without using the TDC), riding out depth charge attacks by angry destroyers, battling stormy seas; it was a rich learning experience.

from Sailor Steve:

I'm glad you posted that, it kind of took me back.

What Kind of experiences?

[Sniper297]

Everything I've read about them:

1. They were copied from the worst U-boat design of world war 1 - a 1915 model that was designed to be cheap and quick to build because of wartime shortages. It was so bad the German Navy never deployed them, used only for training in the Baltic.

2. All the seals - diving planes, periscope, prop shafts etc. - leaked so badly you couldn't dive below 150 feet. The hull was okay with the pressure, but the pumps could barely keep up with the leaks at 150. Below that the pumps couldn't keep up with the flooding, so if you went to 200 feet you were committed to going all the way down.

Some interesting reading written by the wife of an S boat sailor;

http://www.amazon.com/Pigboat-39-Ame.../dp/081310985X

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by Rammstein0991

What Kind of experiences?

For me, SHCE and the S-class were very worthwhile because I was just developing an interest in submarines, and as I was playing a first career, I was reading CLEAR THE BRIDGE!, and I could think about, learn, and incorporate the tactics used by O'Kane. To put it another way, I learned more in this way, than I would have by just reading books. Some of it I learned in the game, some I figured out by myself, outside the game, and some I learned by reading about it.

I consider the S-class very interesting, partly because they have limited fuel/range, limited battery capacity, and limited number of tubes/torpedoes, so you must make wise use of these resources, if you are to do well.

[Rammstein0991]

Tell me about it, Its lucky I have unlimited fuel turned on because on my second mission I got sent up way north of manila and as I was returning home they decided theyd all pack up and move to freakin Java -.-

[Dread Knot]

Originally Posted by Rammstein0991

I got sent up way north of manila and as I was returning home they decided theyd all pack up and move to freakin Java -.-

Well, the Japanese eviction notice stuck to the door with a bayonet was a little difficult to ignore.

[aanker]

I too have always liked the "sugar boats" since SHCE, in fact 'my boat' is S-39 (SS-144).

I thank Hawk and Kim Rønhof for that. Frank Kulick and Hondo too.
http://www.valoratsea.com/notdc.htm

Happy Hunting!

[TorpX]

Originally Posted by Dread Knot

Well, the Japanese eviction notice stuck to the door with a bayonet was a little difficult to ignore.

Yup, that's one way to put it.