Technology and Operations
This forum is for discussing technological & operational matters pertaining to U-boats.
Re: Torpedo Launching
Posted by:
ROBERT M.
()
Date: November 09, 2003 05:05AM
Paul:
"On the morning of August 14. 1945, TORSK sighted a medium-sized
cargo ship escorted by a coastal defense frigate off the Japanese mainland. Commander Lewellan immediately plotted a torpedo attack and was able to sink the escort. That same day a second Japanese frigate arrived to search for TORSK. After firing a torpedo, TORSK dove to 400 feet and rigged for "silent running." When no explosion was heard, a MK 27 (Cutie) homing torpedo was fired (swim-out) at the sound of the frigate's propellor. Shortly after, two explosions (presumably from both torpedoes) marked the sinking of the Japanese warship. Although no one knew it at the time, TORSK had sunk the last ship of World War II. Less than 24 hours later, a cease-fire was called an Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces."
Source: [www.nautilus571.com]
Robert McAnelly, (1st class fire controlmann ( an 82-year old submate of mine, who lives nearby in Port Charlotte, FL, was aboard the TORSK during that event. He states that the first torpedo that was fired was a MK 28 passive-acoustic "heavyweight" torpedo, that had missed, but kept on searching for its target.
The test depth for USS TORSK (SS-423) was 412 feet, but the CO ordered one off the after tubes open to launch that swim-out torpedo.
She was commissioned on 12/16/44 as a TENCH-class fleet boat.
Hope this helps,
ROBERT M.
"On the morning of August 14. 1945, TORSK sighted a medium-sized
cargo ship escorted by a coastal defense frigate off the Japanese mainland. Commander Lewellan immediately plotted a torpedo attack and was able to sink the escort. That same day a second Japanese frigate arrived to search for TORSK. After firing a torpedo, TORSK dove to 400 feet and rigged for "silent running." When no explosion was heard, a MK 27 (Cutie) homing torpedo was fired (swim-out) at the sound of the frigate's propellor. Shortly after, two explosions (presumably from both torpedoes) marked the sinking of the Japanese warship. Although no one knew it at the time, TORSK had sunk the last ship of World War II. Less than 24 hours later, a cease-fire was called an Japan surrendered to the Allied Forces."
Source: [www.nautilus571.com]
Robert McAnelly, (1st class fire controlmann ( an 82-year old submate of mine, who lives nearby in Port Charlotte, FL, was aboard the TORSK during that event. He states that the first torpedo that was fired was a MK 28 passive-acoustic "heavyweight" torpedo, that had missed, but kept on searching for its target.
The test depth for USS TORSK (SS-423) was 412 feet, but the CO ordered one off the after tubes open to launch that swim-out torpedo.
She was commissioned on 12/16/44 as a TENCH-class fleet boat.
Hope this helps,
ROBERT M.