Sigh what luck...

SteamWake · 08-25-06, 12:43 PM

Is there something about armed merchants like an anti torpedo device or something ?

I took at least 4 different shots at armed merchants during my latest patrol all UTK (under the keel) magnetic pistols set to run about 1 foot below the listed draft of the ships. Unusually calm weather and flat seas.

Now one of the shots flat out missed as the merchant saw it in time to turn but the other three were damn fine shots.

In all cases the torps did not detonate, they did not detonate early, or late, they just kept on going.

Just a run of bad luck I guess or is the listed draft in the ship manual wrong for armed merchants ?

Cpt.Thorne · 08-25-06, 12:59 PM

Was the distance over 300m?

CWorth · 08-25-06, 01:11 PM

Another thing you have to take into consideration is the rise and fall of the ship in the waves.

Even though you set it for 1ft below the keel..when the torpedo reached the ship the ship may have been in an upward climb on the waves hence your shot will simply go right underneath and not detonate.Ive had this happen quite a few times.

I simply don't use magnetics in anything but perfectly calm waters..otherwise it is all impact fuses on my fish.

SteamWake · 08-25-06, 01:21 PM

Yes at least two of the shots were from about 1.2 km out and as I said in the anchor post unusually calm seas (glassy) and nice weather.

I should have followed the torps in external view but was more concearned about clearing out and had "felt" that they were fine shots (shrug).

08-25-06, 12:43 PM	#1
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Sigh what luck... Is there something about armed merchants like an anti torpedo device or something ? I took at least 4 different shots at armed merchants during my latest patrol all UTK (under the keel) magnetic pistols set to run about 1 foot below the listed draft of the ships. Unusually calm weather and flat seas. Now one of the shots flat out missed as the merchant saw it in time to turn but the other three were damn fine shots. In all cases the torps did not detonate, they did not detonate early, or late, they just kept on going. Just a run of bad luck I guess or is the listed draft in the ship manual wrong for armed merchants ?

08-25-06, 12:59 PM	#2
Cpt.Thorne Torpedoman Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Helsinki, Finland Posts: 116 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Was the distance over 300m? __________________

08-25-06, 01:11 PM	#3
CWorth Grey Wolf Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Gettysburg PA Posts: 845 Downloads: 38 Uploads: 0	Another thing you have to take into consideration is the rise and fall of the ship in the waves. Even though you set it for 1ft below the keel..when the torpedo reached the ship the ship may have been in an upward climb on the waves hence your shot will simply go right underneath and not detonate.Ive had this happen quite a few times. I simply don't use magnetics in anything but perfectly calm waters..otherwise it is all impact fuses on my fish.

08-25-06, 01:21 PM	#4
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Yes at least two of the shots were from about 1.2 km out and as I said in the anchor post unusually calm seas (glassy) and nice weather. I should have followed the torps in external view but was more concearned about clearing out and had "felt" that they were fine shots (shrug).