USS Lionfish

QUOTE: Originally posted by Dai Jones That was a bit more fatal than i expected! Would a close but NONfatal charge lift the paint or just deaffen the Hydrophone opperator? Dai

A non-fatal DC explosion would likely present no external damage to the pressure hull. A non-fatal DC explosion - that was close enough to do some visible damage would likely dish the fairwaters - that is the exterior hull at the bow, stern, and above the pressure hull proper. It would look more like a severe case of stressed-skin or oil-canning. After a few days in salt water the damage would show rust, probably more along the edges than in the center of the plate. Pipe-railings may also be deformed, but due to their relatively small cross-section they probably would not be shredded.

I have read in several sources that the detonation of a depth charge was preceeded by a 'click' of the depth trigger pistol firing. This was followed by a perceptable delay before the charge detonated. Most acoustic operators were either trained - or quickly learned - to remove their head phones when they heard the tell-tale click. Oh, and depth charges did not mysteriously appear in mid-ocean. The sonar operator would be aware of the presence of the attacking ship by screw noise, and active sonar range gating long before the charges went in the water.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Grauwolf This is U-534... History channel recently had a hour long documentary on the recovery; I am sure it will air again, it was certainly very interesting.

Thanks for the info. I think I surfed across it a while ago just as it was finishing. I remember seeing it cradled on a salvage barge from which is presumably Jeff's photos originated.

That was a bit more fatal than i expected!
Would a close but NONfatal charge lift the paint or just deaffen the Hydrophone opperator?
Dai

QUOTE: Originally posted by ABARNE Interesting photos of the much abused type IX. What's the story behind this one? Is that one that was pulled off the bottom somehwhere near Britain? Andy

This is U-534 found in 1986 and brought to the surface in 1993. It was sunk by
by depth charges from a Liberator aircraft after it engaged in a surface to air
battle and having shot down another Liberator. It is now in Birkenshire Maritime
Museum in England and is in the process of being restored. History channel
recently had a hour long documentary on the recovery; I am sure it will air again,
it was certainly very interesting.

Have a nice day and happy modelling,
Joe

Interesting photos of the much abused type IX. What's the story behind this one? Is that one that was pulled off the bottom somehwhere near Britain?

Andy

Salt deposits on areas above the waterline, chipped paint, rust...that's about it...

A depth charge would push the outer hull plates in around the bulkheads, usually splitting seams and causing all sorts of deformities.




Jeff