Hi again!

I will have to ask my father about that question.  I would guess it would be possible. It all dependes on what was wrong with the tropedo.  If the warhead was still ok,  I doubt they would fire it.  Also depended on the type. Some of those tropedos went in a circle or followed sound. The Boot could be at risk if they launched a bad Eel, which I am sure happened . We really don't know the number of U-Boote which were sunk by thier own faulty Eels! It was very possible!  But yes, compressed air could get the tropedo out of the tube.  I will get back with you when I talk with my father today.

Regards,

   The U.S. submarine 'Tang' (SS 306) was sunk by it's own torpedo circling back.

    dbauer,

      Please thank your Father for me for answering any questions he answers for us.

                           Mike

         Sounds like a great adventure Trigger. Thanks for sharing pictures from your trip.

          If U-47 is where you think it is, how deep is the water where the wreckage rests?

I believe it's around a 1000 meter deep at the coordinates. Not really sure. I'll see if I can find the original map again.

Hello Again!

I asked my Father this question of what was done with bad Trops. He said that most of the time they would keep the trop. to return to the Maintance Shop.  The cost of of these things was great. over 25,000 RM. Also they wanted to document and repair them if possible.  My father also stated that he had to give a report to the Chief Engineer of the U-Boote of the number and situation of the trops. onboard when on Patrol. The Engineer had to calulate the weight of the boat  in order to maintain trim when the U-Boot was out.  Hope that helps.

Regards,

Hello!

I would think that at 1000 meters they would have to use a sub to be safe. Also the pressure would be great on a human body at 1000m. Even at 100 m a diver must be very carefull. It would be interesting if they located and dove on U-47. It would possibly answer some questions on the fate to the U-Boot.  Also remember it is a war grave and would be considered still under the protection of the German Government. Just as the Bismarck is. 

Regards,

dbauer wrote: I would think that at 1000 meters they would have to use a sub to be safe. Also the pressure would be great on a human body at 1000m. Even at 100 m a diver must be very carefull.

Absolutely. I did say theoretical. The commenrcial divers of Comex do dives around 500 meters on a regular basis to maintain the oil wells. A test diver did a chamber dive to 750 meters (so fully controlled environment - that is: in howfar you can actually control a chamber at 76 bar). They concluded on the maximum possible depth of 1000 meters.

dbauer wrote:  It would be interesting if they located and dove on U-47. It would possibly answer some questions on the fate to the U-Boot.  Also remember it is a war grave and would be considered still under the protection of the German Government. Just as the Bismarck is.

Yep, indeed. Which leads me to another point, status of a vessel in international waters ?? If found, would it be allowed to dive it, when in international waters? Maybe something for a new topic... This is just a legal point, I would respect the war grave status without hessitation.