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:
ROBERT M.
()
Date: June 27, 2003 12:04AM
<HTML>Theo et al:
During WWII, cork and balsa wood blocks, wrapped in wet duck canvas, which would provide a good tight water-resistant wrap, was used by the U.S. Naval force's life rafts They were later painted gray and in some cases orange. They had the shape of a large rectangular raft, rounded corners with a slatted floating "floor" fastened by marline, Hand-grab lines were attached around the raft.
On these larger liferafts, which were mounted on a 45-degree angled slide-mounting
alongside the vessel, a hydrostatic release mechanisms, which operated if the vessel rolled over and sank. wasprovided. A manual release feature existed also. Generally an oaken "breaker" of potable water was provided and also a first-aid kit.
Later,
ROBERT M.</HTML>
During WWII, cork and balsa wood blocks, wrapped in wet duck canvas, which would provide a good tight water-resistant wrap, was used by the U.S. Naval force's life rafts They were later painted gray and in some cases orange. They had the shape of a large rectangular raft, rounded corners with a slatted floating "floor" fastened by marline, Hand-grab lines were attached around the raft.
On these larger liferafts, which were mounted on a 45-degree angled slide-mounting
alongside the vessel, a hydrostatic release mechanisms, which operated if the vessel rolled over and sank. wasprovided. A manual release feature existed also. Generally an oaken "breaker" of potable water was provided and also a first-aid kit.
Later,
ROBERT M.</HTML>