Steering a Fleet Submarine

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[@georgemartin1436]

Course clock...amazing! There was much more tech being used in the 40's than any movies portrayed...Thanks!

[@paulfarace9595]

Don't rely on MOVIES for anything other than entertainment!😮

[@USSCod]

This Friday at 6pm we will be uploading our first ever Q and A!!Where Paul answers some of our viewers questions. If you had any questions for Paul please leave them here. This will be a regular feature of our channel.

[@tankman7711]

Question...was there an issued wrist watch or a certain type of private purchase wrist watch that the Officers and crew used? Enjoy USS COD videos, very much! Thank you!

[@craigwoodward7638]

I've always wanted to know how many small arms a sub carried and where were they stored, who had access to them?

[@skovner]

The course clock = the WWII equivalent of "Take evasive action, Mr. Sulu"

[@jawharpist]

Thank you ALL for sharing such amazing details about the USS Cod ... I've read so many books yet I learn something from you every time ... I greatly appreciate, and enjoy, the efforts of everyone involved.

[@crazyguy32100]

Never imagined I'd hear someone say that a fleet boat needed bigger balls, I always thought they were at max size already.

[@tankman7711]

LOL!! How true!

[@dbfbobt]

I was battle stations helmsman on USS Sea Devil, SS 400 in 1963.

[@scottfarnham2717]

Great video, Paul!! I knew of the incredible effort required to steer the boat without power assist from my dad, George W. Farnham GM 2/c USS Runner I, Sawfish, Lamprey. On one of the rare occasions he talked about his service in the subs, he mentioned that on one of the Sawfish patrols it was his rotation at the helm. They were getting depth charged relentlessly by a couple Japanese destroyers for what he said felt like days. He said they were down so long the heat and foul air were suffocating. They were sweating so profusely they were cramping up after only a few cranks on the wheel and the sweat was running off of them and pooling up on the deck plates making them real slippery. He said if it hadn't been so nerve wracking it would probably have been funny to see them slipping and sliding around cranking the helm wheel. Keep the videos coming Paul! They're great and thanks for sharing.

[@paulfarace9595]

Thank YOU for sharing g your father's incredible experience on Sawfish ... the sub that was used in SILENT SERVICE series from 1957.

[@petesheppard1709]

ANOTHER system and set of procedures that never made it into the accounts I read over the years! This is great--thanks!

[@paulfarace9595]

They could remember or include everything... that gives us something to talk about.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@paulfarace9595 So true! Thanks for bringing all this knowledge to light.

[@georgelobb]

I spent many hours on Tigrone AGSS419 in the late 1960s steering courses, it was about the most boring watch I ever had to do, you were basically staring at the wall all the time, of course trying to keep the compass heading. Not bad submerged, but a bear in heavy seas on the surface. Still loved those days though.

[@paulfarace9595]

Thanks for sharing your experiences !!! Nobody placed pinup girl on the bulkhead?😂

[@georgelobb]

Helm and planes watch stations were highly monitored so you couldn’t let your mind wander too far or you’d get a call to “mind your helm” or “ mind your depth “ nothing you’d want to be noted for.

[@earlyriser8998]

I had no idea there were three steering stations i can imagine without the power steering the force required was high.

[@TheJimbodean67]

Finally I know what popeye’s job was in the navy lol. I wonder if there was a shelf to hold a spare can of spinach. Thanks for sharing, a great interpretation of the workings of the steering mechanics. A happy new year to all!

[@jimmansfield431]

I can't wait for spring to get here so I can come up and visit USS Cod - your information is wonderful and interesting - please keep them coming

[@MrBalt29er]

I a long time a go I heard the XO of the USS Tang speak. And I asked him what was the best equipment on a sub. He said 3 things. The cours clock, A/C and fresh water plant. He said of the course clock you could not mathematically figure out the corse it would set. And so he felt safe sailing on the surface.

[@johnpancharian480]

I'm not aware of any other source for the GREAT details you provide about fleet boats and the life of the men who served in them. Please keep 'em coming.

[@USSCod]

Thank you!

[@wtmayhew]

I have a Chelsea course clock (or zig-zag clock) from the 1940s based on its serial number. I believe it was used on a victory ship and there’s only one permanent cam pattern. A hack lever allows all the course clocks in a convoy to be stopped and then synchronized upon receiving a radio signal. I believe the early course clock system simply closed its electrical contacts to ring a bell or turned on a light to let the person at the helm know it was time to make an input to the rudder. I’ve head that the system worked great, except for when it didn’t. How often it didn’t work, that’s classified. 😊

[@paulfarace9595]

Yes that's all correct for convoy course clocks ! I do think the WWII-era versions allowed cam swapping.

[@wtmayhew]

@@paulfarace9595 Thank you very much for sharing everything Cod. Superb channel.

[@dennisfariello4852]

The fancywork pattern is typically "Fox and Geese" it's actually really easy, just half hitches. The knots spiral around the piece you're working on, fox chasing geese.

[@paulfarace9595]

Easy for you maybe!😂 Some of us are considering Velcro shoes 😅

[@garywayne6083]

Great info thanks! I have spent time in Becuna's tower and it still amazes me how many men might be stationed in there. Max props for saying Course Clock correctly so many times without failing!

[@dennisfariello4852]

I want to see Becuna. My father was in Sea Robin, which was the same type of Guppy conversion.

[@brucerumrey8894]

From 1969-72 I was station on the Howard W. Gilmore AS-16 and work on a lot of diesel submarines. One of our jobs was to calibrate the gauges that tell how full the ballast tank were. That require us to go inside of ballast tanks. The gauges use a hydraulics to register the level of water in the tanks. Ballast tank not the very clean places and sometimes they were covered in grease to keep the rusting down. My rate is no longer, I was a IM which is a Instrument Man. We calibrate almost everything mechanical watches, clocks, gauges, torque wrenches, typewriter, add machines. most of our work was calibrating gauges submarines have a lot of gauges.

[@gregwilliamson3001]

If I could make a suggestion, if you would display a diagram or graphic that shows the position or compartment that you are currently talking about, it would definitely help your non submariner viewers? I love finding the facts about the difficulty of turning the wheel for the rudder whilst the sub is silent running. I don’t think I have seen this piece of in in ANY movie set during WW2? Great channel! 👍🏻🇦🇺

[@paulfarace9595]

That's an idea pioneered by our friends at USS Bowlin. Think we'll try to copy them!

[@benclark1423]

Consistently awesome videos from this channel, but I especially like the explanation of the course clock in this one. What an ingenious device...

[@janjones4536]

iPaul has grown into being a master emcee, storyteller, knowledgeable expert, and host of these videos ! He seems like a natural talent ! The black Cod shirt looks great, too! I wouldnt be surprised if National Geographic, Smithsonaian, or PBS Channel doesnt pick this up as a series. This is the hi-quality stuff we really need on tv these days-wonderful video!

[@josephstevens9888]

Excellent presentation on the steering mechanisms and operations aboard a WW2 fleet submarine! I had a very rudimentary idea how subs were steered, but this presentation really cleared things up. I found it somewhat amusing the compass in the conning tower was the same type that were installed in Sherman tanks. I guess if it works, why not use it!

[@Gamer_1745]

Thanks, this is the best channel for detailed info on U.S. subs of WW II!

[@mrtraumaboyy4098]

Wow!! This is awesome!! Not going to complain about the 8 turns my steering wheel needs lock to lock anymore. Appreciate this view into our amazing military history.

[@Dave-jd9qn]

In the conning tower shot is a megaphone to the left. At the opening of the Battle of Sibuyan Sea, USS Darter and USS Dace are close along side with the captains conferring via megaphone. Then the Japanese fleet is spotted and the captains coordinate their attack. "We have radar contact. Let's go!"

[@paulfarace9595]

Yes I can't believe more museum ships don't have them on display!

[@stephanetarte9425]

Love your videos ! always fun, interesting, and educative. Thank you for sharing

[@schoppepetzer9267]

Fun fact: if you were too vigorous turning the pencil sharpener you could offset the boats course by few arcseconds :)

[@charlesadams41]

Just stumbled upon your channel...very interesting content...subscribed

[@paulfarace9595]

Thanks and welcome aboard!

[@EliteExteriorPaintingCalgary]

Thanks

[@skovner]

Are the numerical rudder indicators WWII era or later? They look newer to me, but that might just be because they were so high-tech in the 1940's

[@paulfarace9595]

Great question! I'll check pictures to see what they might indicate.

[@Hawkcrom]

Bearing ! Mark 070 degrees , diving stations !

[@IamZed]

Glad you got up there Paul. I've been on several sub museums and none allow you up there. May I suggest planning all remaining conning tower videos such that you can film all tower sequences at one time so you don't have to go up and down each video like this one?

[@paulfarace9595]

I'm fat and out of shape but I need the exercise 😂...

[@tomnewham1269]

Paul is USS Cod’s curator so he can go into whatever compartment he wants.

[@ajfogertyfan8245]

Where was that CW Morse code coming from n the background towards the end of the video. Tried to copy it but too much QRM (interference) from the conn! AJ1G Stonington CT

[@paulfarace9595]

From the radio shack. We're planning on getting there too in the future.

[@ajfogertyfan8245]

@@paulfarace9595 Thanks for another great video Paul. Looking forward to videos about Radio and the equipment in there. One of my amateur radio hobby areas of interest is collecting restoring and operating vintage military radio equipment, primarily of the WW2’era. I have many of the items used in Radio on the fleet boats and most of them are fully operational. If there are any items you are looking for for Cod, please let me know, I may have them for you or I likely know someone who does. DBF and ZUT (CW forever) Chris AJ1G Stonington CT

[@bigsarge2085]

✌️✌️

[@BB12659]

Question-Do you do any special winterization projects that ensure the Cod comes through these months looking as she does for the Spring? Secondly, of her war patrols, any men that served on all of them, and was this common during W.W.II? Might be dependent upon the billet, eh? Thanks, Paul!

[@paulfarace9595]

Our winterizing is limited to making sure no piping holds water since we're cold iron. About 14 of the 200+ men who made a patrol made all seven.

[@BB12659]

Thanks, Paul. @@paulfarace9595

[@wormyboot]

What's the point of the rope wrapping on Navy things? Is it more than decorative? Is it for grip? Wouldn't there be more effective ways of accomplishing that? I've always wondered that.

[@paulfarace9595]

Both decorative, functional and was a way to pass time when off duty. It increased grip on smooth pipe surfaces like railing before modern methods and materials existed.

[@wormyboot]

@@paulfarace9595 that makes total sense. Thank you! Your comment about passing the time reminds me of all the times I used to get yelled at during deployment for using 550 cord for bracelets and stuff.

[@Lugeix]

I'm hearing morse code in the background?

[@alepaz1099]

👍👍

[@exhibitexpressevidence9919]

🍀🍀🍀🍀🍀

[@fishua5564]

Could they run a helmsman in both positions at the same time to make it easier? Or does the one in the Conn only work with power steering?

[@paulfarace9595]

I'm guessing you could steer from the conning tower in manual power but it was even more difficult ... at some point muscle power might break a bearing!!!

[@fishua5564]

@@paulfarace9595 but you would also have the guys in the secondary position helping at the same time

[@johncooke4057]

Evan, I’m waiting….

[@burroaks7]

very cool

[@russojap1864]

Wow! This is the most interesting episode I've seen so far. 🥇👏👏👏 I don't know why, but the pencil sharpener episode still comes in at second most interesting.🥈🤔 🤷‍♂️😅