Correct number of officers on a fleet boat?

Zero Niner · 05-03-10, 08:35 PM

Does SH4 have way too many officers on the boat? 3 in the control room, 3 on watch, 3 more in the conning tower... iirc, there are 6 officers only:
CO
XO
Weapons
Engineering
Navigator
One more...

Thinking of changing my crew next time I'm in base to reflect a more appropriate number.

ETR3(SS) · 05-03-10, 08:43 PM

I think RFB has it right if I remember correctly. I know on a modern boat though there can be as many as 12 officers. Not that that helps here.

virtualpender · 05-03-10, 11:13 PM

Six was the design complement of the GATO-class originally and is (generally) accurate through about mid-1942. The numbers increased over the course of the war and 10 officers was routine by the end of the war.

In 1945 the wardroom might look like:
- Captain
- XO / Navigator
- Engineering officer
- Asst Engineering officer
- Torpedo & Gunnery officer
- TDC Operator
- Communication officer
- Asst Communication officer
- Commissary officer
- Prospective Commanding Officer

It varied from boat to boat depending on timeframe, ship's equipment, and task force/squadron personnel availability but hopefully this helps.

LukeFF · 05-04-10, 03:27 AM

To add on to virtualpender's post, yes, the average number of officers on a fleet sub in 1945 was typically 8-10 (one OOD and Junior OOD per watch, plus the captain and XO). A PCO (Prospective Commanding Officer), who was an officer being considered for the command of his own boat, could also be among the complement of officers.

fred8615 · 05-04-10, 08:22 AM

Was an officer really posted in the engine room? The game always has one in there by default, but I always thought CPOs commanded in the engine room, so I remove him in a career.

05-04-10, 12:43 PM

The US Naval Academy at Annapolis MD, had a world class engineering curriculum and unlike the RN or KM, virtually all American naval officers (Academy graduates at least) did a tour at some point in their careers as Chief Engineer or commander of the Engineer Division. So having engineering watchkeeping officers in Fleet Boats is perfectly fine and realistic.

05-03-10, 08:35 PM	#1
Zero Niner Ace of the Deep Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,033 Downloads: 69 Uploads: 0	Correct number of officers on a fleet boat? Does SH4 have way too many officers on the boat? 3 in the control room, 3 on watch, 3 more in the conning tower... iirc, there are 6 officers only: CO XO Weapons Engineering Navigator One more... Thinking of changing my crew next time I'm in base to reflect a more appropriate number.

05-03-10, 08:43 PM	#2
ETR3(SS) Ocean Warrior Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Between test depth and periscope depth Posts: 3,021 Downloads: 175 Uploads: 16	I think RFB has it right if I remember correctly. I know on a modern boat though there can be as many as 12 officers. Not that that helps here. __________________ USS Kentucky SSBN 737 (G) Comms Div 2003-2006 Qualified 19 November 03 Yes I was really on a submarine.

05-04-10, 03:27 AM	#4
LukeFF Silent Hunter Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Riverside, California Posts: 3,610 Downloads: 41 Uploads: 5	To add on to virtualpender's post, yes, the average number of officers on a fleet sub in 1945 was typically 8-10 (one OOD and Junior OOD per watch, plus the captain and XO). A PCO (Prospective Commanding Officer), who was an officer being considered for the command of his own boat, could also be among the complement of officers. __________________ ROW Sound Effects Contributor RFB Team Leader

05-04-10, 08:22 AM	#5
fred8615 Saint of the seas Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Sorrento, Louisiana Posts: 1,320 Downloads: 265 Uploads: 127	Was an officer really posted in the engine room? The game always has one in there by default, but I always thought CPOs commanded in the engine room, so I remove him in a career. __________________ Frederick J. Barnett Radio Stations & Music Captain's Desk Photos FJB Camera Pre Pearl Harbor Career Start Office links, Info Boxes, & 50 cal Crew Rank Fix Sub Class Info Real Subs SH4 Randomizer Sub Images Office Images Sub Pinups & Pics 24 Hour Clocks Office Posters Nav Map Make-Over Add-ons FJB Navigation Maps Office Window Chronographs Someone's got to take the responsibility if the job's going to get done! Do you think that's easy?! - Gregory Peck, The Guns of Navarone.

05-03-10, 11:13 PM	#3
virtualpender Sonar Guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 381 Downloads: 281 Uploads: 0	Six was the design complement of the GATO-class originally and is (generally) accurate through about mid-1942. The numbers increased over the course of the war and 10 officers was routine by the end of the war. In 1945 the wardroom might look like: - Captain - XO / Navigator - Engineering officer - Asst Engineering officer - Torpedo & Gunnery officer - TDC Operator - Communication officer - Asst Communication officer - Commissary officer - Prospective Commanding Officer It varied from boat to boat depending on timeframe, ship's equipment, and task force/squadron personnel availability but hopefully this helps.

05-04-10, 12:43 PM	#6
Randomizer Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	The US Naval Academy at Annapolis MD, had a world class engineering curriculum and unlike the RN or KM, virtually all American naval officers (Academy graduates at least) did a tour at some point in their careers as Chief Engineer or commander of the Engineer Division. So having engineering watchkeeping officers in Fleet Boats is perfectly fine and realistic.