Strange shape on U-boat decks

[dougie47]

Hi folks,

Over the years people have sometimes asked about the purpose of a strange looking shape on U-boat decks. Here it is -



The question is - why is it that shape?

Now goto the link below and download the Type II bergungsplan -

http://www.dreadnoughtproject.org/plans/KM_Uboot_Type_II_1934/

The red and yellow squares are the markers, which lie upon a deck hatch. Next to them you can see this deck shape that always accompanies the markers. Others will know German better than me but I reckon "Notluft" means something like "emergency air". When looking at the drawings, you can see how a crewman could reach through this strange shaped hole in the deck to reach a handle below. This would, I think, open a valve to allow emergency air to be released. This equipment can also be accessed by opening the deck hatch (the hatch that has the square marker on it).

I guess the hole was designed that shape so that a crewman could access the handle and turn it?

This rescue plan appears to be original.

Cheers,

Dougie 

[Rokket]

I thought it always looked a bit like a musical note, but it makes sense that it would cover the movement of a handle/lever that ravelled, either in an arc up or slotting over like a gear shift. Hmmm!

[UrpoK]

As Dougie says that strange looking shape is for emergency air handle below.
Emergency air means the air pumped into the diving tanks from mother ship when the u-boat couldn't surface itself.

All those bulky handles and hatches were made for diver.
Everything should be user in emergency situation down on sea floor.

Here are two images taken on the deck of the Vesikko in Helsinki, Finland.
The first one is from aft deck, the second fore deck.
Note that the hatches are located a bit differently in the prototype. Also some metal parts are missing.

Cheers
Urpok

[Rokket]

Excellent shots and info, thanks!