Comments on: Technical Discussions

By: Tom Potter

Tom Potter — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:54:04 +0000

Allen, go back and re-read the last book. Santa Catalina was refit, that was before they reift the Maru (also in a different place, Baalkpaan vs Manila). They must be about out of the guns off Amagi though. I wonder how long before they start building copies of the 4.7″ and 5.5″ guns? Santa Catalina is an armed merchant cruiser now, almost an armored cruiser in this alternate world. The Mizuki Maru (sp?) is more of a Q-ship, meant to hunt down the Jap destroyer.

By: Allan Cameron

Allan Cameron — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:19:45 +0000

I wonder what Taylor will do with the Submarine. Obviously it’s in very poor condition, but having saved so many characters over the last few books, although at such a cost, surely there is a greater role for it than simply being used for its parts. Especially if the torpedos are going to amke a come back.
Obviously deep water isn’t a good idea. I’m not sure of it dimensions, but if it could be carried in one of the home’s internal bays, of winched aboard, it could be used for exploring the coasts, or held ready for an ambush.
Also the Santa Catalina, which hints were dropped previously about it being the same kind of ship as the sub tender from Cavite (Blackhawk?), what role will be found for it. The Jap freightor has been refitted as a armed merchantman, what will Taylor do with this one?
I’ve just placed my pre-order with Amazon, roll on 10 July, how many sleeps is that?

By: Tom Potter

Tom Potter — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:20:29 +0000

I was under the impression that I read somewhere that ammo stowage was approximately 150 rounds per gun. I could be wrong there, though.

Here in the more rural parts of America, you can still find people like you read about in books like the Destroyermen series. Lots of the old timers tinker with steam engines and know how to fix most anything used on a farm until about the 1980′s. Also, the same as far as household goods and equipment. It wasn’t until the late 1950′s that the county I live in in Indiana was electrified. So what Ed says is true, they knew how to do alot more than we spoiled pampered people of today know.

By: michael luther

michael luther — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 07:25:26 +0000

i just wonder, how meany round does walker carry for her 4/50s and 4.7? i think 100 easy. it’s just been vague.

if i was reddy i would have have walker leave only when she was full to the gunwales and then some..

By: Ed Powell

Ed Powell — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 05:28:32 +0000

A short comment on those that attack the skills of the characters in the series. Take a look and the early editions of Popular Science and you will see that back then everyone was interested in almost everything. The country during that period was on a roll of curiosity, wanting to know everything new. (Incidentally, there are 3 editions from Dec 1930 through Feb 1931 that describe how to scratch build a flush deck destroyer model.) Also, ask them to read one of the school books on subjects taught to the grade and Jr high students back then. Out college graduates today couldn’t pass those tests. My folks were from Oklahoma and I can guarantee you nothing was discarded and almost all repairs and innovations were done “in house”.

New but unrelated subject:
The Walker and the other 11 cans from the Wickes-class built in Massachusetts appear to have soft sides to the galley. It appears that canvas was used to cover the openings when needed, otherwise they stayed open to the elements. The later classes seem to have these covered in plate. I don’t remember if this was mentioned in the series. I’ve been trying to dig up clear photos of the forward portion of that area and most photos are only showing it in deep shadow. Did you take a educated guess on that area or do you have a reference?
Ed Powell RMC (Ret)
San Diego

By: Orville J. Shelton

Orville J. Shelton — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 06:03:32 +0000

I making a correction to the DE and DD by the name of James B. Shelton On December 04, 2011. The correct name of the two ships is James A. Shelton.

By: michael

michael — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:30:49 +0000

Cooking stoves aboard Reddy’s ship, are they wood or gas fueled? The original valves on the prototype scuba tanks were modified propane valves. This dates back to the late 1920′s to the early 1930′s. So the idea was probably known to our intrepid Americans.

I do expect a Silva lead special forces group to use greased bodies or wet suits and scuba tanks. A great direction from which to approach the unsuspecting enemy.

By: michael

michael — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:10:17 +0000

Think everyone, think! We have new material delivered to us via Grik airships. What can we do with the rubber like skin?

1. Make a bag out of the material and put meat in the bag. Then float the bag. If the flashies (others too) leave it alone, it may be a good wet suit material. Lots of material sitting at the bottom of the harbor for salvage.

Your turn…

By: michael

michael — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:04:02 +0000

John,

Good idea using graduated dies. For some odd reason, The copper fishing bells reminded me of the Lemurian bowl maker in the story. I suspect copper smiths and wood workers could come up with durable sea mines.

By: John R. Schmuke

John R. Schmuke — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 04:44:19 +0000

It would be intersting if a Lemurian metelworker came up with an improvement in cartridge casemaking using graduated puches and sleeves(dies), saying, I’ve made copper fishing bells this way for years. (Tlingkut Indians, if I remember correctly, if not, it’s a good story).