Encounter with an uber DD

meduza · 10-14-08, 02:29 PM

I was passing through the Bay of Biscay, starting my new patrol. I was at 25m traveling at 2kt, ready to go to Schnorkel depth and resupply with fresh air, when my SO reported sound contact.

It was a destroyer, some 16km away on port bow. I didn't panick, because I had such an encounter so many times before without any problem.

The destroyer was on my port stern quarter when she drastically changed course, straight towards us. The distance was some 12-13km and I knew they can't detect me. As a precaution, I ordered silent running and went deeper.

Soon, the sounds of the pinging and depth-charging disturbed the water. Our stern was hit, and damage reports started coming. Heavy flooding, starboard electric engine destroyed... We started to sink fast, stern first, while the repair crews fought the flood.

At 250m the hull started to give way to the pressure. The lights flickered madly. The boat finaly stabilized at 285m and slowly started to rise. Momentarely unconcern of the DD, I ordered flank ahead to reach the safer depths while the hull still holds.

I brought the boat to 200m, the hull withstood the torture, but destroyer is still above, pinging and throwing cans. The saga continues...

How the hell did they manage to detect me from such a distance? :hmm:

GoldenRivet · 10-14-08, 04:39 PM

you mentioned the snorkel.

were you using the snorkel at the time when he made the drastic turn toward you?

whats the year?

Task Force · 10-14-08, 04:41 PM

1943 or later, he had a snorkel.

GoldenRivet · 10-14-08, 04:43 PM

should have guessed that

so obviously the escorts had radar... so, if the snorkel was protruding from the surface of the water it is probably what gave him away.

meduza · 10-14-08, 05:49 PM

No, I wasn't using schnorkel, I was 25 m below the surface. The year is 1944, April.

What's the range of the Allies' hydrophones at this time? I know that a few months earlier was no more than 7-8km :hmm:?

The bastards are still above me, I'm unable to shake them off... and I'm running out of air, both fresh and compressed...

10-14-08, 06:12 PM

You may have run into Johnny Walkers units.
:hmm:
I think that's correct.

If so, it's an elite unit based on fact.
Best of luck Mate!!

10-14-08, 02:29 PM	#1
meduza Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: on patrol Posts: 1,035 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	Encounter with an uber DD I was passing through the Bay of Biscay, starting my new patrol. I was at 25m traveling at 2kt, ready to go to Schnorkel depth and resupply with fresh air, when my SO reported sound contact. It was a destroyer, some 16km away on port bow. I didn't panick, because I had such an encounter so many times before without any problem. The destroyer was on my port stern quarter when she drastically changed course, straight towards us. The distance was some 12-13km and I knew they can't detect me. As a precaution, I ordered silent running and went deeper. Soon, the sounds of the pinging and depth-charging disturbed the water. Our stern was hit, and damage reports started coming. Heavy flooding, starboard electric engine destroyed... We started to sink fast, stern first, while the repair crews fought the flood. At 250m the hull started to give way to the pressure. The lights flickered madly. The boat finaly stabilized at 285m and slowly started to rise. Momentarely unconcern of the DD, I ordered flank ahead to reach the safer depths while the hull still holds. I brought the boat to 200m, the hull withstood the torture, but destroyer is still above, pinging and throwing cans. The saga continues... How the hell did they manage to detect me from such a distance? :hmm: __________________

10-14-08, 04:39 PM	#2
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	you mentioned the snorkel. were you using the snorkel at the time when he made the drastic turn toward you? whats the year? __________________

10-14-08, 04:41 PM	#3
Task Force Rear Admiral Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: SPACE!!!! Posts: 10,142 Downloads: 85 Uploads: 0	1943 or later, he had a snorkel. __________________ Task Force industries "Taking control of the world, one mind at a time"

10-14-08, 04:43 PM	#4
GoldenRivet Subsim Aviator Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Texas Posts: 8,726 Downloads: 146 Uploads: 0	should have guessed that so obviously the escorts had radar... so, if the snorkel was protruding from the surface of the water it is probably what gave him away. __________________

10-14-08, 05:49 PM	#5
meduza Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: on patrol Posts: 1,035 Downloads: 40 Uploads: 0	No, I wasn't using schnorkel, I was 25 m below the surface. The year is 1944, April. What's the range of the Allies' hydrophones at this time? I know that a few months earlier was no more than 7-8km :hmm:? The bastards are still above me, I'm unable to shake them off... and I'm running out of air, both fresh and compressed... __________________

10-14-08, 06:12 PM	#6
Madox58 Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	You may have run into Johnny Walkers units. :hmm: I think that's correct. If so, it's an elite unit based on fact. Best of luck Mate!!