I am an author of several award winning stage and screenplays. I also write historical novels that are historically and technically correct as I am fussy about details. I have used uboat.net for research but never the forum. I have a question I need answered and figured I'd best toss it out to all you fellows here as you are the experts and I have not been able to find answers in my research. My current project is a historical novel about the sinking of the Lusitania. It is done in the style Shaara used for GETTYSBURG using many viewpoints. My technical question involves the repair of misfired torpedos. One of my research books I am using was written by Ballard. From what I can deduce his count of torpedoes fired by Schwieger at other targets on his patrol is off (the U-20 carried 6 and he was supposed to save 2 for the return trip) unless the misfired one was repaired and used. By Ballard's description of the misfired one there was no hiss of compressed air in the firing procedure. He goes on to describe it as "sitting in its tube, totally useless, yet nail-bitingly dangerous, because it might explode at any moment". Not being that familiar with WWI torpedo technology I am not sure if it could have been repaired or if so how it was done. I am far more familiar with the WWII U-boats and torpedo inspections and servicing etc.. Can you guys help answer this? Need this info for the novel ASAP. OK to answer here or my regular e-mail: fortseneca@hardynet,com

Thanks,
Nick