Hull difference....german, american

[Bulkhead]

What is the basic hull difference between german and american subs?
example: When struck by a depthcharge, does the german subs stand a better chance to pull through if the DC detonate at the same distanse of the hull?
Does the size of the sub mean any in this matter?
By my knowledge the german subs whas stronger built...or am i wrong...?

[manucapo]

according to a book ive read

Wolfpack, the story of the U-boat in world was 2

it claims that
a depth charge would cause serious damage if it exploded within 30-50m from the sub
ofcourse talking about german uboats

i know it's not much information and its very generic
but who knows may be usefull to compare if somone knows a general distance for the fleet boats

[-Pv-]

I think it depends on the sub model. I might be wrong, but my understanding is all the US fleet boats were welded and only the newest German boats were welded, otherwise mosty rivets. Internal seal quality and maintenance is also a big factor. The deeper you are when you take the hit places more stress on the hull. All in all, I wonder if it matters? You learn what the game will take in SH3 and 4 and work with it.
-Pv-

[Torplexed]

A lot might depend on the quality of steel used. Krupp had a pretty darn good reputation. But, then American manufacturers had access to plenty of natural resources and didn't have factories getting bombed from the air.

[The Fishlord]

So far, it's generally accepted that while US boats were bigger (and therefore tougher to maintain), they were more well built.

Early-mid war U-boats can almost give you the impression they were patched together from spare sheets of metal; US fleet boats are a single whole. Some boats like Albacore (though being older) still withstood multiple bullseye's in situations that German boats couldn't handle.

[ReallyDedPoet]

Nice thread on the Pacific Theatre:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=128185


RDP

[Sailor Steve]

I don't know about stronger steel, but I have read that when the Allies captured u-boats they were surprised to find that the pressure hulls were thicker, and of course therefore stronger.

As to the claim of causing serious damage at a range of 30-50 meters, Allied sources claimed a lot less:

The British claimed this DC would split a 0.875 inch (22 mm) hull at 20 feet (6.1 m) and force a submarine to surface at about twice that distance. A minol charge introduced in 1942 increased these distances to 26 feet (7.9 m) and 52 feet (15.8 m), respectively.

This note is for the British Mk VII Heavy depth charge.
http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WAMBR_ASW.htm

[Bulkhead]

i tried too look up any drawings and explanations on how they where built.
But the size of the subs gotta have some infuence, examples the type 7 vs gato or balao. Smaller boat is by my opinion a stronger boat because fewer weak points, and the possibility to build it stiffer without compromising the flexibility.....

[Bulkhead]

Originally Posted by reallydedpoet

Nice thread on the Pacific Theatre:http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showthread.php?t=128185


RDP

Great site

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Bulkhead

Great site

Yes, Ducimus did a great job; but does it say anything about the question at hand?

[Bulkhead]

As far as i see it doesent say anything about american and german hull structure differences..

[Mikey_Wolf]

Its basic physics, even if the US subs and the U-Boats had the exact same steel the exact same thickness, which one will dive deeper?

The U-Boat naturally, because its smaller which means when it submerges there is a smaller hole in the water and the overall area of force exerted on a U-Boat is smaller than that of the US sub.

Though I would not be surprised if the German U-Boats were thicker pressure hulled anyway, because the Germans were extremely adept at Submarine warfare they learnt a lot of lessons from the Great War.

[mcf1]

That's a nice question.
You can check this.
http://www.uboat.net/forums/read.php?20,59732,59741

[NealT]

You would think that since the U-Boat's had a deeper crush depth, they would withstand a DC attack better...

Makes sense...

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by Mikey_Wolf

Its basic physics, even if the US subs and the U-Boats had the exact same steel the exact same thickness, which one will dive deeper?

The U-Boat naturally, because its smaller which means when it submerges there is a smaller hole in the water and the overall area of force exerted on a U-Boat is smaller than that of the US sub.

Is that right? The pressure per square inch will be the same, but I don't know enough about it to know if the size makes a difference overall. Just asking.

@ mcf1: That's a good discussion. I wish he had quoted a source for his numbers, but he seems to know what he's talking about.

@ NealT: It does make sense. Unfortunately there is no real evidence one way or the other. I've done a lot of research over the years, and the things they never seem to mention can make you pull your hair out.