Question on U-boats/ASDIC

Orion101

Hello,

Im curious about something. Wondering if the U-boat crew could hear the ASDIC ping when they were being hunted by a destroyer. Was it a noise within the range of human hearing or something inaudible? Could it be heard clearly by the crew members through the water and the hull?

Thanks in advance

Morlar

Orion101 wrote: »

Hello,

Im curious about something. Wondering if the U-boat crew could hear the ASDIC ping when they were being hunted by a destroyer. Was it a noise within the range of human hearing or something inaudible? Could it be heard clearly by the crew members through the water and the hull?

Thanks in advance

They could hear it, at least I have never read that it's a hollywood invention. I have been on a couple of Later submarines in military museums :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMAS_Onslow
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_submarine_Espadon_%28S637%29

and spoke to former crew of both and I seem to recall them saying it was like the movies. It was a long time ago though so I could be wrong on that. I know they are built 20 yrs later but it seems likely to me that the WW2 uboats could also hear it.

There is a site which plays recording of submarine noises (some WW2 and some contemporary) can't listen to at the moment but it seems to be ok.

http://www.uboataces.com/ref-sounds.shtml

Orion101

Thanks!