What Type Of Bearing Am I Being Given?

Sailor Steve · 03-18-14, 10:47 AM

Just to add a little to BigWalleye's excellent explanation, it might help to remember that the soundman has absolutely no idea which way the boat is heading, so his readings by nature have to be relative and not true. The deck watch might have a little better idea due to the position of the sun, or if land is in sight, but again his job is to tell the watch officer the direction relative to the boat. This makes it much quicker and easier for the WO or the captain to know exactly where to look. 'True' bearings are nice for a map, but to the captain in the control room or especially on the bridge the map is the last thing he needs to look at when a target is announced.

BigWalleye · 03-18-14, 11:44 AM

Thank you Steve. I was able to explain "what" pretty well, but your explanation of "why" was quick and clear - obviously drawn from experience.

THEBERBSTER · 03-18-14, 11:54 AM

Have I got this wrong ? 90 + 335 = 425 - 360 = 65 True ?

BigWalleye calculated 45 !

finchOU · 03-18-14, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THEBERBSTER

Have I got this wrong ? 90 + 335 = 425 - 360 = 65 True ?

BigWalleye calculated 45 !

I think he was testing the forum.... congratulations you passed!

Think he was thinking 315.

On the subject of the thread, is there a basic seamanship sticky anywhere? Might help out the uninitiated.

Sniper297 · 03-18-14, 12:14 PM

I don't have SH5, but since SH1 through SH3 had something similar I suspect the sonar display works the same. This is from SH4;

Top is always 0, since the ship's head is zero and all relative bearings are a 360 degree compass from that reference point. The inner ring is a gyro compass repeater to show true bearings. Looking under the zero in the outer ring I see 335, that's the sub's true heading. Lookout reports sighting bearing 090, look at 090 on the outer ring, lined up with that on the inner ring is 065 true. No math.

BigWalleye · 03-18-14, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by THEBERBSTER

Have I got this wrong ? 90 + 335 = 425 - 360 = 65 True ?

BigWalleye calculated 45 !

"The proof is left as an exercise for the reader."

THEBERBSTER · 03-18-14, 05:26 PM

Hey Guys

This is brilliant, true education. (Sorry about the pun)

Sniper297 · 03-18-14, 11:52 AM

"the soundman has absolutely no idea which way the boat is heading"

He should, one ring on the sonar shows relative bearing, the other is slaved to the gyrocompass and shows true bearing with the boat's heading at the top. Most European Navies in WWII used "RED 90" for port beam and "GREEN 90" for starboard beam which was a lot less confusing than 270 relative for port and 090 relative for starboard. OTOH I've met sailors 6 months out of boot camp who still didn't understand the starboard side was relative to the ship's head, and if Bob the Bosun turned around to face aft it didn't swap sides just to stay on HIS right side. Yeah, some sailors really ARE that stupid.

Simplest way to find true bearing after getting a relative bearing report is to look at the sonar, but turn the periscope or TBT (UZO) to the reported bearing and you'll be looking the direction of whatever is reported. Just be thankful the game only models relative and true bearings, and not magnetic bearings, so you don't have to screw around with compass variation math and trying to remember what the hell Can Ducks Make Vertical Turns applies to.

03-18-14, 10:47 AM	#1
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Just to add a little to BigWalleye's excellent explanation, it might help to remember that the soundman has absolutely no idea which way the boat is heading, so his readings by nature have to be relative and not true. The deck watch might have a little better idea due to the position of the sun, or if land is in sight, but again his job is to tell the watch officer the direction relative to the boat. This makes it much quicker and easier for the WO or the captain to know exactly where to look. 'True' bearings are nice for a map, but to the captain in the control room or especially on the bridge the map is the last thing he needs to look at when a target is announced. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

03-18-14, 11:54 AM	#3
THEBERBSTER Growing Old Disgracefully Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hythe - Southampton Posts: 9,609 Downloads: 1133 Uploads: 0	Have I got this wrong ? 90 + 335 = 425 - 360 = 65 True ? BigWalleye calculated 45 ! __________________ LSH3-2015 <> TUTORIALS <> ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW <> ALL IN ONE PLACE SH4 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <> INFORMATION <> DOWNLOAD LINKS SH5 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <> INFORMATION <> DOWNLOAD LINKS Always Here To Help A Fellow 'Subber' \| Need An Answer to A Question Just Send Me A PM

03-18-14, 05:26 PM	#7
THEBERBSTER Growing Old Disgracefully Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Hythe - Southampton Posts: 9,609 Downloads: 1133 Uploads: 0	Hey Guys This is brilliant, true education. (Sorry about the pun) __________________ LSH3-2015 <> TUTORIALS <> ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW <> ALL IN ONE PLACE SH4 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <> INFORMATION <> DOWNLOAD LINKS SH5 <> TUTORIALS <> HOW TO DO IT <> INFORMATION <> DOWNLOAD LINKS Always Here To Help A Fellow 'Subber' \| Need An Answer to A Question Just Send Me A PM

03-18-14, 11:44 AM	#2
BigWalleye Sea Lord Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: On the Eye-lond, mon! Posts: 1,987 Downloads: 465 Uploads: 0	Thank you Steve. I was able to explain "what" pretty well, but your explanation of "why" was quick and clear - obviously drawn from experience.

03-18-14, 12:14 PM	#5
Sniper297 The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Philadelphia Shipyard Brig Posts: 1,386 Downloads: 160 Uploads: 19	I don't have SH5, but since SH1 through SH3 had something similar I suspect the sonar display works the same. This is from SH4; Top is always 0, since the ship's head is zero and all relative bearings are a 360 degree compass from that reference point. The inner ring is a gyro compass repeater to show true bearings. Looking under the zero in the outer ring I see 335, that's the sub's true heading. Lookout reports sighting bearing 090, look at 090 on the outer ring, lined up with that on the inner ring is 065 true. No math.

03-18-14, 11:52 AM	#8
Sniper297 The Old Man Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Philadelphia Shipyard Brig Posts: 1,386 Downloads: 160 Uploads: 19	"the soundman has absolutely no idea which way the boat is heading" He should, one ring on the sonar shows relative bearing, the other is slaved to the gyrocompass and shows true bearing with the boat's heading at the top. Most European Navies in WWII used "RED 90" for port beam and "GREEN 90" for starboard beam which was a lot less confusing than 270 relative for port and 090 relative for starboard. OTOH I've met sailors 6 months out of boot camp who still didn't understand the starboard side was relative to the ship's head, and if Bob the Bosun turned around to face aft it didn't swap sides just to stay on HIS right side. Yeah, some sailors really ARE that stupid. Simplest way to find true bearing after getting a relative bearing report is to look at the sonar, but turn the periscope or TBT (UZO) to the reported bearing and you'll be looking the direction of whatever is reported. Just be thankful the game only models relative and true bearings, and not magnetic bearings, so you don't have to screw around with compass variation math and trying to remember what the hell Can Ducks Make Vertical Turns applies to.