depth charge how close to kill

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nota
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depth charge how close to kill

#1

Post by nota » 04 Sep 2020, 21:04

in movies we see the u-boats getting attacked but how close did the bang need to be to kill the u-boat

did the effect vary by depth of the u-boat or location over under or to the side of the boat

OpanaPointer
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Re: depth charge how close to kill

#2

Post by OpanaPointer » 04 Sep 2020, 21:35

"Although the explosions of the standard United States 600 lb (270 kg) Mark 4 and Mark 7 depth charge used in World War II were nerve-wracking to the target, a U-boat's undamaged pressure hull would not rupture unless the charge detonated closer than about 15 ft (4.6 m)."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Depth_charge
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Xavier
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Re: depth charge how close to kill

#3

Post by Xavier » 05 Sep 2020, 02:30

dont forget also depth of explosion as a variable.....

Richard Stone
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Re: depth charge how close to kill

#4

Post by Richard Stone » 15 Sep 2020, 23:22

Another method by which the depth charge can destroy a submarine is from the shock waves produced by the explosion. This method gives the depth charge a greater range of lethality. The actual range is dependent on the depth charge size and depth at it which it detonates and can range up to 150 feet (33 m).

The damage occurs when the explosive shock wave is transmitted through the pressure hull and onto the various piping and components of the submarine's systems. These include the motors, controls, circuit breakers, storage batteries, and the various water, high pressure air and hydraulic piping.

The impact of the shock wave causes the components and pipes to flex and move. When this movement is excessive, it will lead to some of these parts and joints to fracture or breaking apart and result in them failing.

The consequences of the failure of a critical part or pipe can create damage such as loss of depth control, the loss of propulsion, loss of lighting and electrical systems and the leakage or water oil or hydraulic fluid into the sub’s interior. Water leakage that comes into contract with the sub’s storage batteries can result in chlorine gas forming that will asphyxiate the sub’s crew as well as making it difficult for the crew to perform damage control. Water leakage can also alter the sub’s trim and buoyancy, making it difficult to maintain the sub’s depth above its crush depth limit.

The shock wave damage will be greater, and the potential for lethal damage increased, when multiple depth charges are dropped in a ’string'. This occurs because the multiple explosions allow the multiple shock waves to combine and extend over a longer period of time. This imparts a greater range of movement onto the sub’s components, increasing the potential for failure of one or more parts and systems to occur.

The multiple depth charge method also increases the effective range of the depth charge attack when the depth charges are set to explode above, at the same depth, and below the estimated depth of the sub.

The method of dropping multiple depth charges during single attack run, such as 10 to 25 in one attack, was used by the British Navy with great success, especially by its famed sub hunter, Commander Johnny Walker and his skilled 2nd Escort Group.

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Re: depth charge how close to kill

#5

Post by OpanaPointer » 17 Sep 2020, 19:24

Yeah, explosions favor the path of least resistance. Newfoundland in one direction, Ireland in another, benthic depths a third, and thin air a few dozen feet above.
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