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Re: Deep dives and metal stress?
Posted by: Richard Carr ()
Date: January 08, 2002 03:35PM

My understanding is that U-boats often exceeded their operational depth. I believe in the book Wolfpack it quotes the deepest recorded dive to survival was 280 metres but doesn't say which boat. There is I believe 3 depths for submarines. These are operational depth, test depth and crush depth. Test depth is usually 2/3 crush depth. VIIC's diving to 200m was not uncommon.

Another consideration was sabotage particularly later in the war. Given the changes in events by early 1944 could you feel confident on a boat being serviced in France with forced conscripted labour? Dodgy welds, sugar in tanks. The mental strain I am sure must have had some impact on decision making.

As for metal stress given the events of Sep 11 2001 at WTC I suspect with increased pressure the metal bends/weakens like rubber/chewing gum but that is only a guess.

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Subject Written By Posted
Deep dives and metal stress? Leif... 01/07/2002 04:49PM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? Richard Carr 01/08/2002 03:35PM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? kurt 01/09/2002 01:17PM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? - more than 280m Cary 01/17/2002 12:42PM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? Ray 01/10/2002 04:00AM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? Leif... 01/10/2002 01:16PM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? Mike Holbrook 01/13/2002 12:00AM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? Tom 01/13/2002 09:50AM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? Leif... 01/15/2002 11:17AM
Re: Deep dives and metal stress? Ed Dalder 01/26/2002 07:30AM
Old post on U-boat diving depths SuperKraut 01/31/2002 08:22PM


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