John, et al: I couldn't locate "Few Survived" by Kemp, but I hold "Few Survived" by Edwyn Gray. I went through "Sub Sunk" by Shelford also. These books do not offer anything with respect to using telephones with escape messenger buoys. Shortly after the USS SQUALUS salvage in 1939, the use of telephone communication was discontinued. The U-57, hit a m
Forum: Technology and Operations

Dan: U.S. WWII Fleet boats carried a messenger buoy forward and aft, to accommodate the two escape trunks. During the early part of the Cold War, U.S. subs still used the same setup, however, When the nuclear-powered subs went on patrol, 3" steel channel-iron "retainers" were welded across the tops of the messenger buoys, so that they could not accidentally be released and gi
Forum: Technology and Operations

Jake: You wrote: "Was one ever used by the ALLIES to rescue crew?" This method was used once during the rescue of the crew of the USS SQUALUS (SS-192) in 1939 off the coast of New Hampshire (USA) at 240' depth. Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hello Jerry and Charla Mason: UC-97 was part of that "Expeditionary Force" too. After she was "picked-over" by the U.S. Navy and submarine designers, she was sent to the Great Lakes on her "bond- selling tour." LCDR Charles A. Lockwood, Jr. was her CO, who rose to fame in WWII as Commander, Submarines, Pacific Fleet (COMSUBPAC). Happy to hear from you again
Forum: WWI forum

Vidart: ( Thanks for the info, but no matter how I tried, 2 hours) I could not satisfy the "Register" requirements. It would not accept any of my usernames or passwords. It's probably because I use an iMac G5 computer. Any suggestions? Any help will be appreciated. ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Solomon: A dirigible is a rigid airship; one which the envelope retained its shape by the use of an internal structural framework rather than being forced into shape by the pressure of the lifting gas (helium) within the envelope as used in blimps. The last dirigible was the HINDENBURG - LZ129, which crashed in Lakehurst, New Jersey (USA) in 1937. Blimps, not dirigibles, were used for AS
Forum: General Discussions

Vidart: "U-864: Hitler's Last Secret" will air on Canadian History Channel on 2/16/09 at 8 AM/EST If any member can record it on DVD, I'll buy a copy. Sincerely, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Vidart: Do you know how I can get a DVD of the History Channel's movie titled "U-864: Hitler's Last Secret?" I tried the History Channel's list of movies, but it is not listed. Any help will be appreciated, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Marc: Go to: Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Gaines Blackwell, et al: In 1995 it was announced that about 100 German WWII U-boats would be salvaged off the Scottish Coast. These subs were scuttled after the end of the war during "Operation Deadlight, the disposal of the captured U-boat fleet. Because they were scuttled, there is no issue of them being war graves, as vessels sunk in combat would be. The reasons behind the salvage
Forum: General Discussions

Oxullop: On a clear day, calm seas, about 10 to 15 km. With rough seas and bad visibility, about 2 to 3 km. Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Oxullop: Go to: Hope this helps, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Hi Ken: Thanks! Have a nice day, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Frank Gardner, Funkmeister, et al: I'll make these answers real easy to understand...... Go to: Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Davenz: The Type XXI --- intended for completely submerged war patrols --- carried no deck guns except for light anti-aircraft guns, fitted in power-operated turrets at the forward and after ends of the sail structure. The guns were for use against attack-ing aircraft only as the U-boat was transiting to and from its protected bomb-proof shelter to deep water. (Although designed to mount t
Forum: General Discussions

Simon: Go to: for photos THETIS. Hope this helps, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Simon: You wrote: "No chance that you may have found Sercouf (SURCOUF) instead?" SURCOUF was in Bermuda and left for Tahiti on 2/12/42. Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Scott: Does this system work in heavy seas? Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

Simon: U.S. Navy fleet boats used "Sharples" purifiers to remove the seawater from the diesel fuel. I wonder why the Kreigsmarine did no use this method. Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

idkinfo: This is a "what if" question....... Not for me to provide a response. Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Simon: Do you mean "brass"? The periscopes on all WWII U.S. subs were chrome-plated steel. I don't think brass would be strong enough. Regards, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

idkinfo: The U.S. diesel-powered subs carried two 55# demolition chargers w/timers. They were mounted in the Forward and After Torpedo Rooms. I'm sure that the nuclear-powered subs had a similar arrangement. If the boat was to be compromised, the timers were were set to detonate the charges about an hour after the boat was abandoned. Hope this helps, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Chippen: Go to: Hope this helps, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Michael: Interiors of pressure hulls on WWII fleet boats were insulated with 1" thick cork sheets. These sheets were cemented in place. The only items that were not insulated with cork were valve fittings and the like. Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: Technology and Operations

OverTheHill: Go to: Hope this helps, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Hello Ken: You wrote: "The man attaching the cable from the U-boat's winch is actually standing on the winch, which is turn is on a small stool on the deck." Sorry,but I don't see how that winch can handle that 3,600# torpedo. I can see using the forward or after capstans for this job, like we did on fleet boats. I'm sure they attached a fair-lead pulley to a padeye
Forum: General Discussions

Pavie: The USS FLECHTELER (DE-157) was sunk in the Med off Oran on 5 May, 1944. She was sunk by a homing torpedo from U-967. She broke in half before sinking. 29 of the crew were lost, 26 were wounded but survived. Four of her torpedomen were sent back to the U.S. and were transferred to the pre- commissioning crew of the USS WILLARD KEITH DD-775) at the Bethlehem Steel Ship- yard in
Forum: General Discussions

Alex, et al: Type IX-C boat was loaded as follows: 4 in tubes in bow compartment 2 on deck plates in bow compartment 4 under deck plates in bow compartment 2 in tubes in stern compartment 3 on deck plates in stern compartment 8 in upper (topside) deck containers Hope this helps, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions

Palve, et al: Allies name for GERMAN NAVAL ACOUSTIC TORPEDO (GNAT) Actually, the G7es/T5 "Zaunkonig" passive acoustic torpedo........ Used by U-boats against escorts. The sensors of the acoustic torpedo were designed to detect propellor revolutions at a frequency of 24.5 kilohertz. This was the frequency that was generated by propellors that drove a vessel at approximately 1
Forum: General Discussions

Funkmeister: BRAVO ZULU! Later, ROBERT M.
Forum: General Discussions