User Guide
submarine while on the surface: the Depth Gauge, Compass, Manual Helm,
Engine-Room Telegraph and Speed Gauge. For information about giving
dive commands, see the “Diving Controls” section on page 24.
Compass
The course of the submarine can also be controlled using the compass. The
white needle indicates current course while the red needle indicates the
desired course. Left-clicking on the compass lays in a course, and the helm
responds by gradually turning the ship onto that course. The manual helm
should be used for radical course changes, such as evasive maneuvers or
attack maneuvers. A previously laid-in course can be returned to by left-click-
ing on the Resume button or by left-clicking on the compass.
Manual Helm
The submarine can be turned to port or starboard by left-clicking on the
Manual Helm, or pressing the left- or right-arrow key on the keyboard. The
0 setting indicates a straight ahead course, barring wind and current. Turns
of up to 35 degrees may be made to port or starboard by left-clicking over
that number on the Helm. The submarine continues to turn until the Helm
is returned to the 0 setting, either by left-clicking on the 0 or by pressing
the arrow key which is opposite the current direction of turn until the
Helm reads 0. Pressing the “H” key establishes the current heading as the
new course and returns the Manual Helm setting to 0. Pressing the “V” key
restores the view to directly ahead of the submarine.
Engine-Room Telegraph and Speed Gauge
Control of the submarine’s diesel engines is performed in the engine room. The com-
mander of the submarine forwards his orders by way of the Engine-Room Telegraph.
The Telegraph’s settings indicate the amount of thrust the engines are set to provide,
either forward or reverse. The speed of the submarine is indicated on the Speed
Gauge and varies based on sea conditions, damage, and whether the submarine is
running submerged or on the surface. Except at very low speeds, there is no way to
come to a rapid stop. Inertia causes the submarine to continue moving until the drag
of the water causes it to slow to a stop, unless reverse thrust is employed. The number
strip across the top of the keyboard can also be used to control speed:
KEY TELEGRAPH SETTING KEY TELEGRAPH SETTING
0 . . . . All Stop 5.......... Ahead Flank
1 . . . . Ahead 1/3 6.......... Reverse 1/3
2 . . . . Ahead 2/3 7.......... Reverse 2/3
3 . . . . Ahead Standard 8.......... Reverse Full
4 . . . . Ahead Full 9.......... Emergency Reverse
SILENT
HUNTER
34 COMMANDING THE SUBMARINE: Bridge
Speed is the most difficult to estimate. Once again, the Ship ID Book comes
into play. The general class of ship provides a reasonable estimate for the
target’s maximum speed. This information can be programmed into the
Target Speed counter in a similar manner to that of the Target Range. If all
else fails, target course and speed can be easily determined by switching the
TDC from manual to auto while the target is in view.
Once this information has been entered into the TDC, left-click on the red G
button in the center of the panel to generate a solution. When the G button is
illuminated, a solution is locked into the torpedoes. The Forward and Aft Gyro
Angle dials will present the gyro angle that is programmed into the torpedo.
These steps may need to be repeated until the solutions seems sufficiently
accurate. The Offset Angle dial is used at this point to establish a “spread” of
torpedoes by locking a course offset into each torpedo from the first torpedo
fired. Determining how wide a spread needs to be is a matter of experience, but
at ranges between 500 and 1000 yards, the offset should be from 5 to 10
degrees in order to get a sufficient amount of spread. At that point, fire the tor-
pedoes! A distant booming sound in the hydrophones and an entry in the
submarine’s log will indicate the sinking of the enemy.
Bridge
Climbing the ladder to the Bridge presents a 40-degree view of the sur-
rounding waters. A set of maneuver controls is here for commanding the
SILENT
HUNTER
33 COMMANDING THE SUBMARINE: Up Scope
Depth Gauge Compass
Relative Bearing
Engine Room Telegraph Speed Gauge
Manual Helm