Diving Depths - U-Boats and FleetBoats

Sailor Steve · 04-30-07, 10:24 AM

When the British captured their first type VII, they were astonished to find that the Germans were building pressure hulls out of 25mm steel, which is not quite 1 inch thick; as opposed to their own, which was only 1/2" (12.7mm). the Americans were using 5/8" (14mm) until the Balao class, which not only had 7/8" thickness, but was also made from STS (Special Tensile Steel), otherwise known as armor plate.

That said, some US boats did indeed reach depths they were told not to go to, with little or no problem.

04-30-07, 10:24 AM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	When the British captured their first type VII, they were astonished to find that the Germans were building pressure hulls out of 25mm steel, which is not quite 1 inch thick; as opposed to their own, which was only 1/2" (12.7mm). the Americans were using 5/8" (14mm) until the Balao class, which not only had 7/8" thickness, but was also made from STS (Special Tensile Steel), otherwise known as armor plate. That said, some US boats did indeed reach depths they were told not to go to, with little or no problem. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo