Multi-part question for all of the technophiles out there:

As I understand it, the twin-screws on the U-boats were driven by both electric and diesel propulsion; one side being hooked up to the electric motors and the other side to the diesel.

First of all, is this the way the set up was configured? Or was it possible to run both screws on diesel and/or electric?

If the answer to the above in “no”, then which side was diesel-driven and which side was electric-driven?

Now, if the U-boat was propelled on just one screw by the diesels or on the other screw just by the electric motors, I am thinking that this would result in the U-boat tending to be slewed either to the port or starboard (depending on which screw was in operation), which would necessitate a constant and steady application of the rudders. It seems to me that this would place undue strain on the rudders – especially in cases where the U-boat ran on the surface in a heavy sea.

So there you have it. I am certain that a few of you have thought about this before. Perhaps our resident submariner – Don Baker – will know this one cold.

Regards


Robert Eno