Technology and Operations
This forum is for discussing technological & operational matters pertaining to U-boats.
RE: U-boat traveling
Posted by:
AL Wellman
()
Date: November 11, 2000 09:24PM
Bernard -
To the extent safety allowed, surface cruising was preferred. Surface cruising kept fresh air flowing through the ship and allowed the batteries to stay fully charged for maximum submerged range when required. Periscope observation was less effective than surface lookouts. The schnorkel decreased the possibility of enemy forces detecting the u-boat by visually or by radar, but this was only an advantage under unsafe conditions.
During extremely rough surface conditions, a boat might choose to submerge for crew comfort; but it would need to submerge below schnorkel depth to avoid wave turbulence. =AL=
To the extent safety allowed, surface cruising was preferred. Surface cruising kept fresh air flowing through the ship and allowed the batteries to stay fully charged for maximum submerged range when required. Periscope observation was less effective than surface lookouts. The schnorkel decreased the possibility of enemy forces detecting the u-boat by visually or by radar, but this was only an advantage under unsafe conditions.
During extremely rough surface conditions, a boat might choose to submerge for crew comfort; but it would need to submerge below schnorkel depth to avoid wave turbulence. =AL=
Subject | Written By | Posted |
---|---|---|
U-boat traveling | bernardz | 11/11/2000 02:39PM |
RE: U-boat traveling | AL Wellman | 11/11/2000 09:24PM |