RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Restoring a Biber (or Beaver) midget submarine

["Jens Laland" <laland@artematrix.org>]

Hi Jay

"A summary of Seehunde operations shows that there were 142 sorties which
resulted in the loss of nine ships totalling 18,451 tons sunk and three
ships of 18,354 tons damaged. Against this thirty-five craft were lost.
This is a relatively low figure especially considering that twenty of
these losses were due to bad weather. Had their crews been better trained
and with more experience, a far higher total of shipping would have been
sunk."

[from "Midget Submarines of the Second World War" by Paul Kemp]

What I have learned from this is that any small submarine operating
'offshore' should include a small "wet and dry" chamber in connection with
the hatch (conning tower). This to avoid accidental scuttling of the
entire boat in bad weather.

regards,
Jens

** Correction:  I was referring to the Seehunde, the Biber was an even
** greater
** death trap.  The design was abandoned and the Germans moved on to the
** Seehunde.
**
**
** If you read the operational reports on Biber ops you will find that extend
** trips by the submersibles were very trying on the crew if not deadly.  The
** submersible usually operated awash, engine fumes often overcame the crew,
** amphetamines were required for the crew (1 and 2 day ops), dive control
** was
** spotty, VERY cramped for space, etc.  Very few if any successful attacks
** were accomplished, in most cases the sub just disappeared.they were death
** traps.





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