Cable cutter?

moscowexile · 05-12-08, 03:40 AM

Here's a submarine thing I've always wondered about: When I was a kid over half a century ago, I saw a picture of a WWII sub and asked my dad what the sawtoothed contraption on its prow was for. He told me that it was for cutting cables on anti-submarine nets.

Was he correct, I wonder? And if the thing was intended to cut cables, how effective was it? I can hardly imagine it being of any use whatsoever in such a function.

Modern subs don't have them, nor do immediate post-WWII ones.

Were they only installed in the hopes that they would be able to cut through a steel cable? Were they only ornamentation furnished as a result of wishful thinking?

Sailor Steve · 05-12-08, 01:10 PM

Early (WWI) nets were easier to cut. The VIIBs started the war with them. I believe VIICs and later don't have them. This is reflected in the game.

Von Manteuffel · 05-12-08, 03:06 PM

I suppose it could work, but using it would be a bitch - all that "Ahead full! Full astern! Ahead full! Full astern! Ahead full etc." Easier to go around.

Red Heat · 05-12-08, 04:07 PM

I personaly think its item is in herited from the W.W. I when the anti-submarines nets was made of simple rope and it was easy to cut...

Jimbuna · 05-12-08, 04:24 PM

As soon as steel mesh was introduced, they became more or less obsolete.

Brag · 05-12-08, 08:12 PM

I have never read of any succesful use of the net cutter, including WWI. It was probably wishful thinking.

05-12-08, 03:40 AM	#1
moscowexile Navy Dude Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Moskau, Rußland. Posts: 174 Downloads: 206 Uploads: 0	Cable cutter? Here's a submarine thing I've always wondered about: When I was a kid over half a century ago, I saw a picture of a WWII sub and asked my dad what the sawtoothed contraption on its prow was for. He told me that it was for cutting cables on anti-submarine nets. Was he correct, I wonder? And if the thing was intended to cut cables, how effective was it? I can hardly imagine it being of any use whatsoever in such a function. Modern subs don't have them, nor do immediate post-WWII ones. Were they only installed in the hopes that they would be able to cut through a steel cable? Were they only ornamentation furnished as a result of wishful thinking? __________________ "Die Lust der Zerstörung ist gleichzeitig eine schaffende Lust." (The lust for destruction is at the same time a creative lust.- Mikhail Bukhanin.) Last edited by moscowexile; 05-12-08 at 11:31 PM.

05-12-08, 01:10 PM	#2
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	Early (WWI) nets were easier to cut. The VIIBs started the war with them. I believe VIICs and later don't have them. This is reflected in the game. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

05-12-08, 04:07 PM	#4
Red Heat Ace of the Deep Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Portugal Posts: 1,093 Downloads: 267 Uploads: 0	I personaly think its item is in herited from the W.W. I when the anti-submarines nets was made of simple rope and it was easy to cut... __________________ "There is three kinds of man: the living, the death, and those who are at Sea." Plato

05-12-08, 04:24 PM	#5
Jimbuna Chief of the Boat Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 250 metres below the surface Posts: 190,473 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 13	As soon as steel mesh was introduced, they became more or less obsolete. __________________ Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say something. Oh my God, not again!!

05-12-08, 08:12 PM	#6
Brag Navy Seal Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Docked on a Russian pond Posts: 7,072 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	I have never read of any succesful use of the net cutter, including WWI. It was probably wishful thinking. __________________ Espionage, adventure, suspense, are just a click away Click here to look inside Brag's book: Amazon.com: Kingmaker: Alexey Braguine: Books Order Kingmaker here: http://www.subsim.com/store.html For Tactics visit:http://www.freewebs.com/kielman/

05-12-08, 03:06 PM	#3
Von Manteuffel Commander Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: UK Posts: 473 Downloads: 411 Uploads: 0	I suppose it could work, but using it would be a bitch - all that "Ahead full! Full astern! Ahead full! Full astern! Ahead full etc." Easier to go around.