Bismarck Motor Launches
Moderator: Bill Jurens
Bismarck Motor Launches
Hi all,
The Bismarck had a number of smaller craft which were stowed above the aircraft hangers.
Did none of these 'float away' upon the sinking? If they were secured down, why is there no evidence of them ?
Also makes me think about the Tirpitz boats.
Thanks for any replies.
The Bismarck had a number of smaller craft which were stowed above the aircraft hangers.
Did none of these 'float away' upon the sinking? If they were secured down, why is there no evidence of them ?
Also makes me think about the Tirpitz boats.
Thanks for any replies.
- paulcadogan
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1148
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 4:03 am
- Location: Kingston, Jamaica
Well we know that one of these was taken out in the DS by Prince of Wales....
But I would think the rest were very likely destroyed in the final cannonade (direct hits, blast, shrapnel, fire) and their remnants are scattered thoughout Bismarck's debris field....
Paul
But I would think the rest were very likely destroyed in the final cannonade (direct hits, blast, shrapnel, fire) and their remnants are scattered thoughout Bismarck's debris field....
Paul
Qui invidet minor est - He who envies is the lesser man
- paulcadogan
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1148
- Joined: Sun Jul 16, 2006 4:03 am
- Location: Kingston, Jamaica
The photos that show Bismarck's survivors in the water are here:
http://www.kbismarck.com/photo048.html
http://www.kbismarck.com/photo031.html
In the one taken beside Dorsetshire (031), there is some floating debris that survivors were clinging to. The other is at a distance and is more dificult to discern.
However, I'm sure the two British ships that remained on the scene(Dorsetshire & Maori) put priority on rescuing the men rather than debris until they so unfortunately withdrew because of a phantom u-boat "sighting" leaving so so many behind. I don't know if any u-boats or other German vessels found anything later, besides the five very lucky men.
I have read somewhere that a piece of debris from Hood washed ashore in Norway at some point, though. I'll try to find the reference.
Paul
http://www.kbismarck.com/photo048.html
http://www.kbismarck.com/photo031.html
In the one taken beside Dorsetshire (031), there is some floating debris that survivors were clinging to. The other is at a distance and is more dificult to discern.
However, I'm sure the two British ships that remained on the scene(Dorsetshire & Maori) put priority on rescuing the men rather than debris until they so unfortunately withdrew because of a phantom u-boat "sighting" leaving so so many behind. I don't know if any u-boats or other German vessels found anything later, besides the five very lucky men.
I have read somewhere that a piece of debris from Hood washed ashore in Norway at some point, though. I'll try to find the reference.
Paul
Qui invidet minor est - He who envies is the lesser man
That is interesting. I just watched a TV documentary (in the UK) about the oceans and their current flows etc. and it was going on about some sort of 'conveyor belt' - a constant flow of hot and cold currents across the oceans of the globe - which can deposit items from shipwrecks thousands of miles away.I have read somewhere that a piece of debris from Hood washed ashore in Norway at some point, though. I'll try to find the reference.
Any idea what the piece of debris was ?
Thanks for any replies
Debris from Hood
Gents
Go to http://www.hmshood.com/hoodtoday/today1.htm to the seat back from one of Hood's boats, and on display at the National Maritime Museum Greenwich
All the Best
wadinga
Go to http://www.hmshood.com/hoodtoday/today1.htm to the seat back from one of Hood's boats, and on display at the National Maritime Museum Greenwich
All the Best
wadinga
"There seems to be something wrong with our bloody ships today!"
- Antonio Bonomi
- Senior Member
- Posts: 3799
- Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:44 am
- Location: Vimercate ( Milano ) - Italy
Bismarck motor boats
Ciao all,
does anybody knows for sure the boat configuration of Bismarck during Op. Rheinubung ?
I doubt it has been a bit changed,....compared to what Tiornu wrote,... but very difficult to find photos of that area during the mission.
Anybody knows more ??
Ciao Antonio
does anybody knows for sure the boat configuration of Bismarck during Op. Rheinubung ?
I doubt it has been a bit changed,....compared to what Tiornu wrote,... but very difficult to find photos of that area during the mission.
Anybody knows more ??
Ciao Antonio
- Antonio Bonomi
- Senior Member
- Posts: 3799
- Joined: Mon Oct 18, 2004 10:44 am
- Location: Vimercate ( Milano ) - Italy
Bismarck boats
Ciao all,
well the overall weight of the Bismarck and her sea keeping possibilities with everything she had to carry on during Op. Rheinubung were carefully evaluated by Adm Lutjens and his staff.
They had the previous mission exeprience into the Atlantic Ocean already with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during Op. Berlin.
That is why the bow anchor was removed and the motor boat launches reduced as well.
Now we have to find more evidences,......
Ciao Antonio
well the overall weight of the Bismarck and her sea keeping possibilities with everything she had to carry on during Op. Rheinubung were carefully evaluated by Adm Lutjens and his staff.
They had the previous mission exeprience into the Atlantic Ocean already with Scharnhorst and Gneisenau during Op. Berlin.
That is why the bow anchor was removed and the motor boat launches reduced as well.
Now we have to find more evidences,......
Ciao Antonio