Colregs in 1942

[benjenbav]

I am currently re-reading "Das Boot". Approaching a convoy the U Boat commander talks of the problems the convoy commander must be having in trying to coordinate a coherent but difficult-to-predict tacking strategy with steamers who "...have no idea and don't care about collision regulations but are just used to steaming straight ahead..."

So, not much has changed then. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[nonitoo]

I have every sympathy with any convoy commodore trying to get a disparate bunch of merchantmen of differing sizes, and speeds to adhere to a pre-planned zig-zag pattern. Adjusting speed easily did not come easily to a merchant ship in the days of telegraphs.

The first ship I sailed on as apprentice was still fitted with a convoy clock on the bridge as part of the DEMS equipment issued to every British ship, you could set it to ping at variable times (ping - 10 mins - ping - 8 minutes - ping 15 minutes - ping) that sort of thing. Must have been a nightmare co-ordinating them all especially at night. No VHF either, only the screened aldis lamp.

Must have had b***s of steel waiting for the next bang.

Tom

 

[benjenbav]

Not wrong, there. My maternal grandfather was sunk twice in 1914-18, as a junior RN officer but went back for another go in 1939-45, then Army in the desert war as a specialist artesian well engineer, ending up as acting Col. I'm not sure that the steel balls have passed down the generations though.

 

[moodycruiser]

My Dad was running TNT across the Atlantic ... makes me shiver thinking about it.

 

[nonitoo]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not sure that the steel balls have passed down the generations though.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm sure they have in one form or another. I was delighted to see the turn out at Chatham for the Forces Day celebration, only spoiled by the presence of The Odious Brown.

Mind you I supposed I am biased as my son is in Iraq doing exotic things in his helicopter.

Tom