Technology and Operations
This forum is for discussing technological & operational matters pertaining to U-boats.
Re: Cargo on deck
Posted by:
Ken Dunn
()
Date: August 03, 2007 03:14PM
Hi Laval,
Some cargo (weapons) was strapped to the deck of a few U-boats carrying it to Norway during the invasion. The deck gun was removed to facilitate this. There was at least one that was converted to carry fuel to Norway and a couple of others that were in the process of being converted when it was called off as a bad idea.
Until later in the war the Type VII and IX U-boats had special pressure proof containers built in outside the pressure hull for carrying spare torpedoes. These containers could also be used for carrying cargo instead of torpedoes if necessary.
Keep in mind that a U-boat was a poor cargo vessel because of the small diameter of the hatches among other things. Whatever was carried inside the boat had to fit through those small hatches. Carrying anything strapped to the outside resulted in significant additional drag while underwater that affected the boat’s speed and made it more difficult to balance the boat.
Note that spare torpedoes were normally carried inside the boat as well as in the external containers and there were some special purpose boats designed to resupply the fighting U-boats at sea that did carry additional spare torpedoes inside as well as spare food, medical supplies and spare parts. They had special fuel tanks for carrying additional fuel for the fighting boats too and they had a bakery, spare crew, a doctor and additional refrigeration as well.
In addition to the above, several of the special purpose mine laying boats were converted to carry supplies in their large vertical mine chutes for trips to Japan & perhaps other destinations. Some of these were also fitted out to refuel/resupply other U-boats at sea.
I have no idea about German U-boats carrying midget subs on deck but the post at [www.uboat.net] has a link to a photo of an Italian boat with deck containers for them. The Japanese subs carried all sorts of stuff on deck and in special hangers, including aircraft, midget subs and landing craft. They were also used for carrying troops, supplies and equipment to the islands where their troops were fighting.
Regards,
Ken Dunn
Some cargo (weapons) was strapped to the deck of a few U-boats carrying it to Norway during the invasion. The deck gun was removed to facilitate this. There was at least one that was converted to carry fuel to Norway and a couple of others that were in the process of being converted when it was called off as a bad idea.
Until later in the war the Type VII and IX U-boats had special pressure proof containers built in outside the pressure hull for carrying spare torpedoes. These containers could also be used for carrying cargo instead of torpedoes if necessary.
Keep in mind that a U-boat was a poor cargo vessel because of the small diameter of the hatches among other things. Whatever was carried inside the boat had to fit through those small hatches. Carrying anything strapped to the outside resulted in significant additional drag while underwater that affected the boat’s speed and made it more difficult to balance the boat.
Note that spare torpedoes were normally carried inside the boat as well as in the external containers and there were some special purpose boats designed to resupply the fighting U-boats at sea that did carry additional spare torpedoes inside as well as spare food, medical supplies and spare parts. They had special fuel tanks for carrying additional fuel for the fighting boats too and they had a bakery, spare crew, a doctor and additional refrigeration as well.
In addition to the above, several of the special purpose mine laying boats were converted to carry supplies in their large vertical mine chutes for trips to Japan & perhaps other destinations. Some of these were also fitted out to refuel/resupply other U-boats at sea.
I have no idea about German U-boats carrying midget subs on deck but the post at [www.uboat.net] has a link to a photo of an Italian boat with deck containers for them. The Japanese subs carried all sorts of stuff on deck and in special hangers, including aircraft, midget subs and landing craft. They were also used for carrying troops, supplies and equipment to the islands where their troops were fighting.
Regards,
Ken Dunn
| Subject | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|
Cargo on deck
|
Laval | 08/03/2007 02:00PM |
|
Re: Cargo on deck
|
Ken Dunn | 08/03/2007 03:14PM |
|
Re: Cargo on deck
|
Vidart | 08/03/2007 06:29PM |