Life on Board. U-boat submariners had a 75% casualty rate, the highest of all German forces during the war. The U-505 had two bathrooms, one of which was used to store food for the first part of the voyage. For the entire two months at sea, the crew never bathed and instead cleaned themselves by swabbing with alcohol.
How many German U-boats are still missing?
The German Unterseeboot, or U-boat, was a submarine that appeared seemingly out of nowhere to destroy both military and commercial ships. Despite their prevalence during World War I and World War II, only four U-boats remain intact today.
How long could German U-boats stay submerged?
The typical U-boat was 214 feet long, carried 35 men and 12 torpedoes, and could travel underwater for two hours at a time.
Did German U-boats have showers?
Washing and showering was not permitted, and no change of clothes. In such a confined space, with little hygiene, deodorant was used to control body odour. There was no privacy, and all space was filled – crew members even slept in the loading torpedo room.
What was it like inside a German U-boat? – Related Questions
Why did submariners eat lemons?
James Lind is remembered as the man who helped to conquer a killer disease. His reported experiment on board a naval ship in 1747 showed that oranges and lemons were a cure for scurvy.
How many toilets does a German U-boat have?
German U-Boats operated mainly in the Atlantic Ocean. Food was cramped literally everywhere: between torpedoes, overheads, under tables and…in the toilet. The absence of a pantry on the boat resulted in one of the two toilets being used as a temporary storeroom.
Do submariners eat well?
When a submarine leaves on patrol, food fills every available corner. Eating takes place in the crew’s mess. Despite the tight galley space, good meals are the rule, with the same menu for officers and enlisted men. Extra funding for food makes submarines the best “feeders” in the Navy.
How do you shower in a submarine?
The showers on a submarine are set up much like the ones in your home, well kind of. They have hot and cold water access with a recirculation pump so that the water stays hot so that you can use it quickly and efficiently by minimising water usage. Reducing water usage is a constant major driver for submariners.
How long is a shift on a submarine?
As LTP said, you’ll be working a 6 on/6 off shift pattern (or 1 in 2) at sea based around mealtimes. 1st watch being 0700 – 1300 & 1900 – 0100, 2nd watch unsurprisingly then being 0100 – 0700 & 1300 – 1900. All fwd watchkeepers work the same routine.
How many toilets does a submarine have?
Aboard fast-attack submarines, two bathrooms – each with four toilets and two urinals – serve 100 crew members. Crew chiefs and officers use another three baths.
What happens to toilet waste on a submarine?
Many spare parts are partially unpacked before being stored aboard. Waste that is discharged overboard must either be pumped out against the ambient sea pressure or blown out using pressurized air. Waste materials are collected and periodically discharged.
What do they eat on submarines?
For a recent deployment the Jefferson City loaded up with 9,800 pounds of flour, 1,200 pounds of chicken, 1,000 pounds of prime rib, 1,000 pounds of ground beef, 800 pounds of potatoes and 100 dozen eggs. In all, the submarine will typically carry about 15,000 pounds of food, or about 110 pounds per sailor per patrol.
What is the work schedule on a submarine?
A submarine “day” lasts 18 hours and is split into three six-hour shifts. So a submariner may work for six hours and train, maintain equipment or sleep for 12 hours. Bunks are generally stacked three high. Space is at a premium in a submarine, and little of it is afforded to each sailor.
Why do submarines have 18 hour days?
The submariner’s day lasts 18 hours: three 6-hour watch cycles, 1 on and 2 off. He stands a duty watch, then has the next 12 hours for everything else: repair and maintenance tasks, study, relaxation, eating, and sleeping.
How long is a shift in the Navy?
How flexible are your working hours at US Navy? On average work is about 8-9 hours. Working hours are a set time for sure, although depending on what you do there is some flexibility. Sometimes depends on your command and your duty shift.
How do shifts in a submarine work?
When at sea, the crew of a Collins Class submarine work on six hour shifts called ‘watches’. This means that they work for six hours, have six hours off and then go back on shift. When they are off shift, crew members are able to sleep or relax.
How much sleep do submariners get?
In real missions, the sleep time of the submarine crew varies in a wide range, extending from 5.75 h to 9 h, which may be influenced by many environmental factors [60].
Is it hot in a submarine?
Even though the entire submarine has air cooling facility, only two decks are air-conditioned. The temperature in the rest of the submarine is around 30-35 degrees and the crew works in sweltering heat.
Is there a gym on a submarine?
With a doctor on each Vanguard-class submarine and 24/7 gym facilities – including a rowing machine, treadmill and weights – the submariners can also ensure they stay healthy. But space on board is tight, almost claustrophobic.
Can you smoke on a submarine?
There are no smoking areas on US submarines. 2010 was the last year you could smoke inside the boat.