Why a broom on a real sub?

BaronVonSchnitzel · 11-27-05, 07:58 PM

This weekend my wife and I went to San Francisco for a getaway. We toured the USS Pampanito, a WWII American Baloa class sub docked at Fisherman's wharf.

(The web page is http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm).

Here's my question: I noticed an inverted broom mounted high on the conning tower. What is the significance of this? :hmm:

I'll bet it's an interesting story whatever it is.

Thanks as always for your expertise, folks.

Edit: Actually...just checking out the web site...there's a lot of cool stuff there, including a WWII sub training manual!

Dowly · 11-27-05, 08:02 PM

Edit: Ah, blind me! Taken from the site:

Quote:

Broom: When a crew returned from a successful war patrol and had "swept the seas clear of the enemy," they would attach a broom to the periscopes as they entered port.

BaronVonSchnitzel · 11-27-05, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dowly

WTH!? :rotfl:

Thanks Dowly....yup, that's it!

BaronVonSchnitzel · 11-27-05, 08:07 PM

OK...the question everyone will want to know. Who will mod this into SHIII? :rotfl: :rotfl:

Depth Charge Dodger · 11-28-05, 08:22 AM

It is one of these, and I think it depends on the nationality and timeframe(WWII vs modern) as to which one is true.

If every torp fired sinks a ship, that is a 'clean sweep'.

If every target engaged is sunk(regardless of torps fired), same as above.

The Avon Lady · 11-28-05, 08:57 AM

Yes, I was thinking along the lines of a mine sweeper.

Ducimus · 11-28-05, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaronVonSchnitzel

Here's my question: I noticed an inverted broom mounted high on the conning tower. What is the significance of this? :hmm:

A "clean sweep". As in you swept the sea's clean. This practice was done on US subs after a very successful patrol.

coronas · 11-28-05, 08:02 PM

ItÂ´s a tradition in Netherland subs in WWII. British and US submarines folow the tradition. After a sucesfull mission, the broom on top was "all clean"

JScones · 11-29-05, 01:42 AM

I watched the 1943 movie "Crash Dive" the other day. This tradition was featured when the US sub "USS Corsair" returned to base after one of its successful patrols (it sank a Q-boat). The question was asked in the movie what the broom signified, and "clean sweep" was the response.

Not an overly realistic film BTW (submarine crewmen doubling as Commandos???) - indeed it's up there with U-571 and Pearl Harbour for American flag waving, but considering it was released in 1943, it's totally forgiven.

Watch it if you get a chance!

Sonoboy · 11-29-05, 01:55 AM

I remember staying overnight on that sub. It was a boy scout thing several years ago. This other guy and I were in the engine room. He pushed forward on one of the control thingies for the engine (must have been the electric engine), found out it still works. He quickly put it back to all stop, and we looked around to make sure nobody else heard the noise, hehe.

Was fun looking through the UZO trying to spot babes in the city

Kalach · 11-29-05, 05:54 PM

Good thing I'm not a submariner, I would of used it for the same purpose one normally uses a broom for

ref · 12-06-05, 11:50 AM

IÂ´ve seen in a movie (I cantÂ´t remember wich) the crew testing for
a flooding with a broom stick, the presure was so high it cut it
like a saw.

wetwarev7 · 12-06-05, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaronVonSchnitzel

(The web page is http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm).

Edit: Actually...just checking out the web site...there's a lot of cool stuff there, including a WWII sub training manual!

Just checked out the virtual tour, it's awesome!

Driftwood · 12-06-05, 03:26 PM

Great Site!

Trav_R · 12-06-05, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ref

IÂ´ve seen in a movie (I cantÂ´t remember wich) the crew testing for
a flooding with a broom stick, the presure was so high it cut it
like a saw.

They still do it today, and it's to check for leaks in high pressure steam lines.

11-27-05, 07:58 PM	#1
BaronVonSchnitzel Helmsman Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 106 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Why a broom on a real sub? This weekend my wife and I went to San Francisco for a getaway. We toured the USS Pampanito, a WWII American Baloa class sub docked at Fisherman's wharf. (The web page is http://www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm). Here's my question: I noticed an inverted broom mounted high on the conning tower. What is the significance of this? :hmm: I'll bet it's an interesting story whatever it is. Thanks as always for your expertise, folks. Edit: Actually...just checking out the web site...there's a lot of cool stuff there, including a WWII sub training manual! __________________ \"There is water on the bottom of the ocean\" - David Byrne, Talking Heads

11-27-05, 08:07 PM	#4
BaronVonSchnitzel Helmsman Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Sacramento, California Posts: 106 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	OK...the question everyone will want to know. Who will mod this into SHIII? :rotfl: :rotfl: __________________ \"There is water on the bottom of the ocean\" - David Byrne, Talking Heads

11-28-05, 08:22 AM	#5
Depth Charge Dodger Swabbie Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: North Carolina Posts: 11 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	It is one of these, and I think it depends on the nationality and timeframe(WWII vs modern) as to which one is true. If every torp fired sinks a ship, that is a 'clean sweep'. If every target engaged is sunk(regardless of torps fired), same as above. __________________ \"If you\'re not lucky, I can\'t use you.\" who said that?

11-28-05, 08:57 AM	#6
The Avon Lady Über Mom Join Date: May 2005 Location: Jerusalem, Israel Posts: 6,147 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Yes, I was thinking along the lines of a mine sweeper. __________________ "Victory will come to us from the wombs of our women." - Houari Boumedienne, President of Algeria, Speech before the UN, 1974

12-06-05, 03:26 PM	#14
Driftwood Chief Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Western NC Posts: 325 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Great Site! __________________ Retired US Army Paratrooper Virtual Sub Skipper

11-28-05, 08:02 PM	#8
coronas Ace of the Deep Join Date: May 2005 Location: Asturias, España Posts: 1,168 Downloads: 39 Uploads: 0	ItÂ´s a tradition in Netherland subs in WWII. British and US submarines folow the tradition. After a sucesfull mission, the broom on top was "all clean"

11-29-05, 01:42 AM	#9
JScones Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 5,501 Downloads: 19 Uploads: 0	I watched the 1943 movie "Crash Dive" the other day. This tradition was featured when the US sub "USS Corsair" returned to base after one of its successful patrols (it sank a Q-boat). The question was asked in the movie what the broom signified, and "clean sweep" was the response. Not an overly realistic film BTW (submarine crewmen doubling as Commandos???) - indeed it's up there with U-571 and Pearl Harbour for American flag waving, but considering it was released in 1943, it's totally forgiven. Watch it if you get a chance!

11-29-05, 01:55 AM	#10
Sonoboy Planesman Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: United States, CA Posts: 195 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	I remember staying overnight on that sub. It was a boy scout thing several years ago. This other guy and I were in the engine room. He pushed forward on one of the control thingies for the engine (must have been the electric engine), found out it still works. He quickly put it back to all stop, and we looked around to make sure nobody else heard the noise, hehe. Was fun looking through the UZO trying to spot babes in the city

11-29-05, 05:54 PM	#11
Kalach Weps Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 366 Downloads: 17 Uploads: 0	Good thing I'm not a submariner, I would of used it for the same purpose one normally uses a broom for

12-06-05, 11:50 AM	#12
ref Grey Wolf Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mar del Plata, Argentina Posts: 871 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	IÂ´ve seen in a movie (I cantÂ´t remember wich) the crew testing for a flooding with a broom stick, the presure was so high it cut it like a saw.