yperman Posted 1 October , 2016 Share Posted 1 October , 2016 Good morning, I wonder if someone could kindly explain why German destroyers (grosse torpedoboote class) had a rudder just aft of their forefoot please? Jane's has a photo (on p119) of T130 in heavy seas which shows an example. Many thanks, Yperman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolt968 Posted 1 October , 2016 Share Posted 1 October , 2016 The same photo is in Le Fleming's Warships of WW1 (p206). I have always assumed that the bow rudder was to assist in manoeuvring in confined spaces. I think ferries had them at one time. Roger M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 1 October , 2016 Share Posted 1 October , 2016 Sometimes it's good to have a spare! Sorry, couldn't resist that For the real answer see page 176 of German Warships of World War 1: The Royal Navy's Official Guide to the Capital Ships, Cruisers, Destroyers, Submarines and Small Craft, 1914-1918 [Naval Institute Press, 1 Jan 1992] “In destroyers the bow rudder is situated below the keel about 12 feet abaft the stem. It can be raised into a recess in the hull by means of a fine pitched screw, and has to be so raised before the boat can be taken in tow. It is always used when manoeuvrings, as the steering capabilities are insufficient without it.” regards Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolt968 Posted 1 October , 2016 Share Posted 1 October , 2016 Looking at the original photo I had also wondered if it helped in a heavy sea. At least one rudder would probably be in the water. Though it might have been odd in a heavy see to alternate control between the fore and aft rudders depending on which was in the water. Roger M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yperman Posted 2 October , 2016 Author Share Posted 2 October , 2016 Thank you all very much. Yperman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michaeldr Posted 2 October , 2016 Share Posted 2 October , 2016 11 hours ago, rolt968 said: to alternate control between the fore and aft rudders depending on which was in the water. That would have been a very difficult manoeuvre indeed! It is interesting to note that the above mentioned book also states that - “In some of the very latest destroyers, however no bow rudder is fitted” regards Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rolt968 Posted 2 October , 2016 Share Posted 2 October , 2016 13 hours ago, michaeldr said: That would have been a very difficult manoeuvre indeed! It is interesting to note that the above mentioned book also states that - “In some of the very latest destroyers, however no bow rudder is fitted” regards Michael I also thought it could be a bit difficult. (A bit like the four wheel steering in some WW2 scout cars, perhaps, which was subsequently removed?) Roger M Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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