Dead Calm and Empty

[Telgriff]

While on patrol I headed south to Freetown to see if I can pick up some merchant traffic, one thing disturbed me for the whole trip there, the sea was dead calm, no waves, almost a mirror surface and clear skys. It stayed like that for more than a week. I have heard of this 'frozen weather' bug happening when loading a game mid patrol, but is this sort of sea weather normal? I switched to seasonal waves in SH3Commander which helped on the trip back where it rained most of the trip, but the dead calm returned as i went into deeper waters on the way back.

Upon visiting Freetown I found the place to be deserted. No merchants, no air craft, no shipping of any kind whatsoever. I sat and listened to the hydrophones for 2 days, nothing. Its August 40'. Isnt there meant to be at least SOME traffic through Freetown?

[Umfuld]

Hmm. I may have to take that trip. I'm so tired of the Noah's Ark weather in the mid and north atlantic.

Just finished first patrol of a new career and I kept track: 10 straight days of rain

I was almost offended when the rain finally stopped, I was so used to it.

[Telgriff]

I was disturbed about the complete flat ocean. It was a little offputting after being in the north atlantic and having constant choppy waves and bad weather to hide in. Made it easy to see shipping, but also made it extremely easy for them to spot me.

[emtmedic005]

Well those "Dead Calm" periods r very normal, they usually happen in the middle of the ocean. Its caused by a the lack of wind. If you read some journals of sea captains especially during the age of sailling ships, they can be a real problem. You could run out of fresh water, food and ur men get "cabin Fever" and go mad. Go watch Master and Commander, it has a good section on "dead calm"

[Kpt. Lehmann]

Commonly referred to as "the doldrums."

[Telgriff]

Originally Posted by emtmedic005

Well those "Dead Calm" periods r very normal, they usually happen in the middle of the ocean. Its caused by a the lack of wind. If you read some journals of sea captains especially during the age of sailling ships, they can be a real problem. You could run out of fresh water, food and ur men get "cabin Fever" and go mad. Go watch Master and Commander, it has a good section on "dead calm"

I knew they existed in real life, I just have never seen it in game before, hurrah for realism!

Still doesnt explain why Freetown was totally deserted.

[emtmedic005]

R u using a Super Mod? Cause if ur using Stock SH3 then i found ports empty. If ur using TGW1.1a, GWX or others then ports will be full of traffic.

[Telgriff]

Originally Posted by emtmedic005

R u using a Super Mod? Cause if ur using Stock SH3 then i found ports empty. If ur using TGW1.1a, GWX or others then ports will be full of traffic.

Am still in the process of getting GWX downloaded. Now it makes sense. Save the port attacks for GWX.

[Umfuld]

Originally Posted by Telgriff

Save the port attacks for GWX.

Say hello to the mines and sub nets for me.

[The Munster]

Originally Posted by Telgriff

While on patrol I headed south to Freetown to see if I can pick up some merchant traffic, one thing disturbed me for the whole trip there, the sea was dead calm, no waves, almost a mirror surface and clear skys. It stayed like that for more than a week. I have heard of this 'frozen weather' bug happening when loading a game mid patrol, but is this sort of sea weather normal? I switched to seasonal waves in SH3Commander which helped on the trip back where it rained most of the trip, but the dead calm returned as i went into deeper waters on the way back.

Upon visiting Freetown I found the place to be deserted. No merchants, no air craft, no shipping of any kind whatsoever. I sat and listened to the hydrophones for 2 days, nothing. Its August 40'. Isnt there meant to be at least SOME traffic through Freetown?

Using GWX [1.03] and just had the opposite experience to you but in June, 1941. Storm all the way down to Freetown from St. Nazaire. Inside, I found 3 sitting ducks, a Tramp steamer, a large Tanker and a medium Tanker which were disposed of.
Also noticed an ernomous British Passenger Liner listing/sinking and in flames, wish it'd still been active .. the tonnage I would've got for that ! Still, 27,000 ton for 3 ships, I will return.

[Telgriff]

Originally Posted by Umfuld

Say hello to the mines and sub nets for me.

We'll see if I last long enough to make it to the second patrol club

[Vandecker]

Made it into that club just today only got 7000 tons though plus aircraft harrassing me throughout the entire patrol despite my only being in 1939 (I hate having incopetent anti-aircraft gunners).

Have fun with harbour raids hope you have more success than me, I've yet to survive one.

edit: mind you South End was probably not the smartest choice for my first ever raid

[Telgriff]

Originally Posted by Vandecker

edit: mind you South End was probably not the smartest choice for my first ever raid

Ouch. May aswell sit on the surface in the English Channel and paint a bullseye on your boat

[Vandecker]

lol. Realised that myself after about 6 destroyers if not more turned up and started depthcharging me. Not going there again for a while.

[Telgriff]

When I am on long patrols, I always have this lingering need to have the tension of a DC attack and being hunted. Then I realise what a nightmare it is to get out of there most times, so I resist the urge to hassle DD's (unless they are a REALLY tempting target). Though now I have my IXB, I may change that attitude.