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Post by mostlyharmless on Mar 1, 2022 17:46:45 GMT
... As I mentioned, the RN generally installed smaller and lighter machinery rather than raising the power so that Warspite’s power was raised from 75,000 shp to 80,000 whilst the weight was reduced from 3,691 tons to 2,300 tons. For comparison, Ise’s power went from 45,000 shp to 80,825 shp. The extra space was used to install auxiliary machinery outboard of the new boilers and thus increase subdivision. We don’t know how well this worked because replacing the machinery proved completely successful at preventing torpedo hits. The RN had twelve WW1 capital ships in 1939 and suffered torpedo hits on Royal Oak, Barham on two occasions, Resolution, Malaya, Repulse and Ramilles. None of the four ships with new machinery were hit even when Warspite sailed into the fjords around Narvik. It is possible that had Kongo been rebuilt by the RN instead of having her power increased from 64,000 shp to 136,000 shp, she might have survived two torpedo hits. British torpedo defense was not that good. Kongo was going to die when hit by American torpedoes no matter who built her. By the time USS Sealion got her, US torpedoes had had their TNT front ends replaced with British developed torpedo explosive charges that gave the submarine launched fish about 2X the explosive concussive force of the air dropped torpedoes that punched holes in Musashi and Yamato. The only other torpedoes with that kind of punch in service anywhere were British and Japanese and those were in 1944 less accurate as free swimmers. It’s about time that I agreed with you so let me say that you may be correct about Kongo. I don’t know anything beyond what is at www.combinedfleet.com/eclipkong.html. My comment was based on the increased subdivision in the rebuilt British ships. The damage to Warspite at Salerno is probably the best comparison with 320 kg of Amatol exploding in the double bottom under number 4 boiler room and a second bomb exploding near enough on the starboard side to open the double bottom under boiler room number 5. Amatol has more energy than TNT but lower brisance. Despite the lower brisance, Warspite did suffer leaks to the one remaining boiler room and the engine rooms as well as to smaller spaces. Perhaps it is fortunate that Warspite was soon drifting (near a minefield) rather than trying to maintain 16 knots. As it was she had about 5,000 tons of water onboard when she reached Malta. |
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miletus12
Squadron vice admiral
To get yourself lost, just follow the signs.
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Post by miletus12 on Mar 1, 2022 19:19:45 GMT
I note that shaft misalignment was the actual cause of the vibrations. Revolutions ceased on the inner port shaft (“Y” Engine Room) due to vibrations in its turbine. Power Control Room narrative notes that starboard shaft revolutions are at 158; no revolutions are shown for the port shafts Comment: These vibrations probably resulted from debris from the hull plating, the outer strut and outer propeller damaging the blades of the inner port propeller. Chipping of its blades was observed and photographed by Expedition ‘Job 74’ divers. The debris (spall) could not have been the cause. Too small an effect over the length of the run is my observation. |
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