healdav Posted 9 November , 2007 Share Posted 9 November , 2007 In a French newspaper from 1916 I have found n article purporting to show German ships that have been especially built to transport U-boats in an underwater hold, to their operating areas. It is obviously not true, but has anyone ever come acoss uch a suggestion before? It's a new one to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 9 November , 2007 Share Posted 9 November , 2007 Another myth! They probably misused the "Vulcan" Dock- und Hebeschiff (salvor- and uboot mothership) for their prpaganda purposes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clio Posted 9 November , 2007 Share Posted 9 November , 2007 I suspect the idea was discounted because of the danger of a boat rolling within the mother ship and damaging its ballast tanks or screws - but I find it intriguing too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SiegeGunner Posted 9 November , 2007 Share Posted 9 November , 2007 I can't see any advantage in transporting a U-boat into hostile waters on the surface in a large and vulnerable mother ship — but Vulkan obviously fits the description, even if she wasn't actually used for the purpose described. Great photo, Egbert — can you tell us any more about Vulkan? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clio Posted 10 November , 2007 Share Posted 10 November , 2007 Cant you ? Try looking at the prize rules then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
egbert Posted 10 November , 2007 Share Posted 10 November , 2007 can you tell us any more about Vulkan? Some technical data and the hint it was delivered to the Brits in 1919 and -guess why -didn't quite make it..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 10 November , 2007 Share Posted 10 November , 2007 I can't see any advantage in transporting a U-boat into hostile waters on the surface in a large and vulnerable mother ship — Well the U boat would otherwise have to travel there on the surface anyway and the host ship might be disguised as a neutral if the underwater hold was completely concealed. A patrolling flying boat or airship might ignore a ship with a neutral flag (other than reporting it) but would certainly attack a U boat on the surface. The ship would allow the U boat to pass through a patrolled section easier (otherwise it might have to travel on the surface by night and lay up submerged by day. U boats did not travel long distances submerged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 10 November , 2007 Share Posted 10 November , 2007 I can't see any advantage in transporting a U-boat into hostile waters on the surface in a large and vulnerable mother ship — Well the U boat would otherwise have to travel there on the surface anyway and the host ship might be disguised as a neutral if the underwater hold was completely concealed. A patrolling flying boat or airship might ignore a ship with a neutral flag (other than reporting it) but would certainly attack a U boat on the surface. The ship would allow the U boat to pass through a patrolled section easier (otherwise it might have to travel on the surface by night and lay up submerged by day. U boats did not travel long distances submerged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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