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Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] USS X-1 Facts
Thanks Dave! I find it quite interesting that both the US and the brits
couldn't get H2O2 to work, yet the Nazis had no problem during WW2.
While I am not a nazi sympathizer, I think this is a very important
issue to look at. Why was the program such a success while in their
hands? Is it the technology used? Is it the techniques used? Or is it
the interpersonal workplace relations?
Carl
"D. Blake" wrote:
> Hi All:A few days ago I did a search and found one of the sailors
> that spent time serving on the X-1 (1963-1965). I asked if he could
> provide me with some info about "the only minisub ever employed by the
> U.S. Navy". He replied just a few minutes ago. Here's what he had to
> say: From: Pete Akerson <peteakerson@hotmail.com>
> To: dblake@bright.net <dblake@bright.net>
> Subject: Re: USS X-1
> Date: Saturday, March 03, 2001 5:45 PM Hi Dave, In response to your
> inquiry about the X-1, it's been more than thirty years,
> but I'll try to give you some information and answer your
> questions. X-1 had diesel/electric propulsion during most of its
> lifetime. Originally,
> she had an engine that ran on hydrogen peroxide. This system required
> no
> external air supply and was similar to the engines developed for the
> German
> U-Boats just before the end of WWII. Apparently the hydrogen peroxide
> was
> pretty unstable and the propulsion was converted to diesel/electric
> after an
> explosion literally blew the bow (where the fuel was carried) off in
> 1957. We had the capability of locking out swimmers through a small
> compartment in
> the forward part of the boat. That compartment was also intended to be
> used
> by the crew for escape in the event it became necessary. Scuba gear
> would
> have been used for an escape rather than the Steinke Hood used at that
> time
> on other US submarines. Although we had an assigned complement of 8 (2
> Officer, 6 Enlisted),
> virtually all underway operations were done with 4 people. Except for
> a
> fairly short deployment to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands where we
> worked
> with Seals and UDT, all of our operations were conducted in Chesapeake
> Bay,
> working with the Naval Research Lab. At the present time, X-1 is on
> display at the U. S. Naval Academy,
> Annapolis, MD and there's a short history and a couple of pictures of
> her
> at: http://www.maritime.org/hnsa-x1.htm Hope this has been of some
> assistance and please don't hesitate to let me
> know if there's any other information you'd like. Best Regards, Pete
--
"In times like these, it helps to recall there have always been times
like these."-Paul Harvey