General Discussions
This is the place to discuss general issues related to the U-boat war or the war at sea in WWII.
Re: Life rafts
Posted by:
Theo Horsten
()
Date: June 26, 2003 07:50PM
<HTML>Thanks all, for the information. I know what equipment lifeboats on Dutch ships used to have and also food and drinking water, but I don't know anything about the life rafts in WW2. I don't even have one good, clear picture of a life raft.
But yes, kapok would be a possibility. The problem with kapok for life jackets was that kapok would loose it's floating power after about 24 hours, especially if their was oil on the water.
In his book "The last voyage of the 'Scapa Flow'", Lars Skattebol is talking on page 185 about a sail on one of the life rafts after the ship had been sunk. A primitive sail, but their were oars as well. The Scapa Flow was an American owned ship under Panamanian flag. She was sunk by the U-134 on 14 November 1942. Skattebols book is a good read. It can be found, complete, on www.armed-guard.com</HTML>
But yes, kapok would be a possibility. The problem with kapok for life jackets was that kapok would loose it's floating power after about 24 hours, especially if their was oil on the water.
In his book "The last voyage of the 'Scapa Flow'", Lars Skattebol is talking on page 185 about a sail on one of the life rafts after the ship had been sunk. A primitive sail, but their were oars as well. The Scapa Flow was an American owned ship under Panamanian flag. She was sunk by the U-134 on 14 November 1942. Skattebols book is a good read. It can be found, complete, on www.armed-guard.com</HTML>
