Re: [PSUBS-MAILIST] the purpose of sails

[Ed Greany <crest25@attglobal.net>]

Shin,

There are several reasons for a sail the size of today's. First of all,
it must protect the many scopes and masts that protrude upward from the
hull. Second, it is a must to protrude through a thick layer of ice in
polar surfaces. That's just two good reasons.

Ed Greany
Former Nuc Sailor

Mad Pirate Shin wrote:
> 
> for the life of me, i cannot imagine a reason for a nuclear powered
> war-sub to need such  a large sail.  The current day nuclear subs
> wouldn't really be too concerned with a forced surfacing under a
> storm.  So why not lose the sail in favor of a sleeker profile?
> 
> 
>                    Shin