Who Turned Out the Lights?: Emergency Battle Lanterns on WWII Submarines

You can support USS Cod here:
www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted...

[@dalesql2969]

I was the damage control petty officer for my division in the 80s. So all damage control stuff in the compartments our division was responsible for was my job to maintain. We had the yellow plastic battle lanterns. Inside was two of those six volt square lantern batteries, and a 12 volt sealed beam automobile headlight bulb. They came in two varieties, one had a switch and you manually turned it on and off. The other had a cable coming in from the lighting circuit powering the lights in that compartment. When the power went out, a relay opened and the light came on automagically. There was also a test button for the monthly testing that interrupted the power, thus activating the relay. I understand now that they have LED bulbs and hopefully better batteries. The batteries were constantly springing leaks internally corroding the metals inside, and there was never enough batteries available to keep them all in working order.

[@robertporterfield9578]

Always an interesting discussion! Regarding the battle lanterns, the batteries were not rechargeable. The pig tail that plugged into the lanterns that were equipped with them had their other end plugged into a normal lighting circuit. When normal lighting power was lost, a relay would actuate that turned the battle lantern on. Regarding the emergency lights with the green housings. they were indeed powered from one of the boat's main batteries. However, they did not come on automatically. One or more of these lights were on a common circuit that was operated by a switch mounted in an enclosure that was also painted green. The rotary switch was bronze and had a radium coated button on it so they could be found in the dark and switched on. Knowing the location of the emergency lighting switches in each compartment was part of my first month's qualification requirements.

[@paulfarace9595]

Thanks for the two-way information flow!

[@sc1338]

Awesome information thank u

[@danielcoburn8635]

Worked in aircraft maintenance in the Air Force, Very familiar with explosion proof lanterns. We actually had a tech manual covering them. The spring on the light bulb was there in case the bulb would break, it would be pulled away from battery contact to turn off the filament. You may also find rubber gaskets sealing the flashlights so no vapors can get in.

[@KenR1800]

I'm well aware of just how dark a submarine can be when the lights go out. Back when I was in Boy Scouts, we did an overnight at Battleship Cove. Me and my Father decided to go explore Lionfish. We lost track of time and were in the Control Room when the lights went out. Pitch Black! This was pre smart phone days, so we looked at our watches and realized it was closing time, and we were about to unintentionally sleep on the sub! The glow feature on our Timex watches was enough light to find our way to the Forward Torpedo Room and out. The guy was about to lock the door and wasn't too pleased with us.

[@Raymail-tj4cf]

The towel thing made me think of “Hitch Hikers Guide To The Galaxy “

[@alanbare8319]

Another illuminating episode from the crew of the USS Cod!

[@panhandlemikee5573]

The most important use of Navy flashlights was to wake up your watch relief with the red lens. LOL

[@petesheppard1709]

I can't help but think of the sheer claustrophobic terror that crewmembers had to fight through when lights went out, in a submerged steel tube, during depth charge attacks

[@scottfarnham2717]

300 feet deep and no lights would be terrifying!

[@wdcjunk]

Keep picking on Evan, it never gets old.

[@thejohnbeck]

It's how you know they get along great

[@wtmayhew]

I have a couple of the green plastic US Army 2 D-cell Fulton Mfg. flashlights with the 90 degree lens. The WW-II were brass. The original bulbs are surprisingly wimpy even with fresh batteries. I found some drop-in LEDs which fit the original lamp holder. LEDs are about 10x as bright and the batteries last like 10x as long. It is almost like a getting a free lunch. Yes, I saved the original the shipping boxes and bulbs so they could be returned to period correct Vietnam era duty if desired.

[@1boortzfan]

I love the history behind the U.S.S. Cod. One thing I have noticed is that you never beg for funds to help the ongoing efforts of the Cod. That doesn't cost you anything you know.

[@paulfarace9595]

We have links to our donation page but we don't hit folks over rhe head with constant appeals for cash. We equally value education and promoting Cod awareness in our videos. God and our patriotic visitors are doing a good job of keeping the lights on and the bills paid. But if you want to donate, the link is close by!

[@milwaukeeroadjim9253]

Flashlights in the early 60s still had the on/off switch with the button for sending code. On my ship, we had the yellow plastic battle lanterns and green plastic D size flashlights

[@frankbodenschatz173]

Nice job guys! Vert Illummminating!

[@JessicaKStark]

The original A and B batteries were big square cardboard cased batteries that got used for vacuum tube equipment. The A battery was 1.5 volts and was used for the filament, and the B battery was a 45 volt battery used for the plate voltage, sometimes with a third contact for 22.5 volts. I have an old civil defense radiation meter made sometime before 1959 that wanted a smaller 22.5 volt B battery and two D cells, and the model that replaced it that tweaked the power supply to only need the two D cells.

[@KnightRanger38]

Confusingly there are cylindrical A and B batteries as well. The A batteries were used in some older laptop battery packs and some hobby battery packs. B batteries were sometimes used within European 4.5v rectangular cuboid batteries.

[@banedonrunestar5618]

Paul, you and your team are a glimmer of hope in these uncertain times. Thank you for this video, I found it quite enlightening.

[@bobw222]

"Always know where your towel is." Ford Prefect HG2G...

[@dennisfariello4852]

42!

[@earlyriser8998]

Paul, I am old enough to remember these flash lights too. My battery leaks, hard to fix, dim light,etc. But the best we had.

[@dennisfariello4852]

I've never seen the hard-wired ones being rechargeable, but they do have relays that will turn them on when power is lost, as you mentioned. However, I'm only familiar with the later yellow ones, and on surface ships, so I could absolutely be wrong about the WW2 submarine battle lanterns.

[@paulfarace9595]

We got bad information decades ago! Thanks to you folks commenting, we're straight on that subject!

[@jimbellinger4023]

An illuminating presentation!

[@kanrakucheese]

There's two explanations for the lack of a b battery 1: B batteries were used in early radios that needed multiple battery types simultaneously. They disappeared as the need for such disappeared. 2: A different type of "B" battery apparently stuck around longer in Europe/Soviet use for electric lanterns.

[@Ghauster]

Great little reference to HG2G. Adams would be proud.

[@iwantmyvanback]

Visited the USS Hornet recently and most of the examples onboard are the yellow plastic versions. But, its super cool to see the WW2 versions.

[@connorkilpatrick6283]

Well it appears to be rather ‘illuminating’.

[@mfbfreak]

Plastic lanterns are great to use in the battery compartments and in any other electrical work. You don't want to accidentally drop a metal flashlight across some cells of the main battery. It would literally be gone in a flash, spraying molten metal and sparks everywhere.

[@Orxenhorf]

There were A, B, 1/2AA (used in some old computers to keep the clock running when the power was off), AAAA, and F cell batteries - but no E cells as far as I know.

[@Russojap2]

Great video! Sometimes it's the small things that makes the most interesting topics. It never occurred to me that they would use flashlights on a submarine.🤦

[@randyogburn2498]

There truly isn't one best flashlight, but thankfully they have improved greatly over the years. I have a battery powered work-light that would easily light the whole boat at one per compartment.

[@MinorLG]

Always have a towel, that's going to be hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy not South Park

[@KronoGarrett]

"A" batteries supplied filament power for your portable tube radio, hearing aid, or handy talkie. More convenient than a pile of loose dry cells. "B" batteries supplied plate voltage for your portable vacuum-tube electronics. 22.5, 45, 67, and 90V. You didn't have to replace these too often. There are "A" and "B" **cells**, but those sizes were used for internal NiCd and NiMh battery packs in power tools and laptops before and during my childhood. Do the battle lanterns take the big rectangular or big cylindrical dry batteries?

[@paulfarace9595]

Cylinders I believe.

[@andrewd.1113]

Paul, thank you for another illuminating talk about some of the artifacts on the USS Cod! Stop picking on Evan!

[@jrmotorsports5532]

Love the history lessons. Thanks!

[@xovain4574]

I LOVE THE USS COD!!

[@waynewolfe8817]

Yes, working on electric circuits, or in a gas environment, you would want a non conductive light

[@michaeljones1605]

Dude, that's my bro

[@randymagnum143]

I carry a Cloud MCH light. It's awesome.

[@BB12659]

A submariner has to be accustomed to working in the dark, that just goes with the territory. Thanks, Joe & Paul. By the way, Joe has to be a Cleveland native, eh?

[@paulfarace9595]

I think he's a native...

[@fourtyfivefudd]

I’ve seen flashlights made by FULTON (the ones who make the green angle head GI style light) a few straight tubular flashlights. Very similar to the GI flashlight, except it’s not an angle head, and a few of them are stamped USN. But they are all incandescent. So I wonder when or IF those were even issued

[@paulchsney5994]

We had several onboard our cargo planes. They were colored yellow.

[@Kevin-go2dw]

An "Enlightening" video. Did the sub carry a case of spare batteries and globes? I could imagine that the batteries would not necessarily last a patrol, especially if they had to be used (like looking for lost overboard sailors).

[@OU2nice.]

Cool history!

[@flyingroark]

Whoa hey now... What batteries do you have in there??? Are you actually using No.6 batteries in there? I have a few of the yellow battle landers in my house and they work. Would like to get my old grey lantern going.

[@dennisfariello4852]

Do any of the flashlights still have the filters in the base? I've seen them with red, blue, and transluscent white filters. The one big black one looks just like the gray ones that were so common in the 70s and 80s.

[@paulfarace9595]

No filters... no need on a submarine.

[@dennisfariello4852]

@@paulfarace9595 Why wouldn't you need the red filters, say if you needed the flashlight up on the bridge, or on deck?

[@prsklenar]

Poor Evan. Stop picking on the poor guy. Sheesh. 🤣

[@bobd5197]

What fine film was shot on board the Cod? Or is that too embarrassing to say?

[@JoshuaTootell]

I googled it...don't bother.

[@davidroby7290]

Sold

[@bigsarge2085]

⚓️

[@clarencesmith2305]

The towel is from the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy. Question. I have a battle lantern and I want to replace the switch and bulb (with an LED bulb) and find somewhere a couple battery boxes so I could use like a group of C or D cells. Where can I find the parts?

[@paulfarace9595]

We got our parts from local supply centers.

[@clarencesmith2305]

@@paulfarace9595 I would go to Radio Shack but they are a dead company. "local supply center" so a home depot type place?

[@ruikazane5123]

In terms of flashlight advancements, that Mag-Lite isnt' even close to what you can get nowadays. Flashlights the likes from Convoy (S2+, S21A, L21A, etc) and other similar brands put out way more light, and for the adventurous, you can build it up yourself. Now you got me thinking about getting one of those battle lanterns from eBay or somewhere and putting the brightest, baddest stuff in it...hmm... I got a question though: how about colored flashlight lenses? Or those are for the signal-capable flashlights only?

[@paulfarace9595]

Colored filters are not a thing on these bsttle lanterns...

[@ruikazane5123]

@@paulfarace9595 Thanks for the answer!

[@tomhenry897]

Plastic is cheaper Doesn’t use war material

[@paulfarace9595]

Well by the time the yellow plastic battle lanterns show up (1960s) there aren't any more restrictions. But in environments where you don't want sparks...

[@danquigg8311]

Do you have a source for an authentic battle lantern?

[@paulfarace9595]

Ebay.

[@xovain4574]

1st!

[@mikepelland441]

Stop Picking on Evan, Its getting old