USS PAMPANITO - MANEUVERING ROOM

Main Deck Aft Perisicope shears and antennas Main deck forward Spacer for image fit
Conning tower Spacer for image fit
Forward end of submarine Spacer for image fit
After end of submarine. Spacer for image fit
Center of submarine Spacer for image fit
Bottom of submarine Spacer for image fit
Main Deck Aft Perisicope shears and antennas Main Deck Forward Conning Tower After Torpedo Room Maneuvering Room Motor Room After Engine Room After Engine Room Lower Flat Forward Engine Room Forward Engine Room Lower Flat After Battery Compartment (Crew Berthing) Crew's Mess and the Galley Radio Room Control Room Pump Room Forward Battery (Officer's Country) Forward Torpedo Room
Image Size:
Get Adobe Flash player
Click and drag to see more.
The maneuvering room is where all of Pampanito's changes in speed were made in response to orders from the conning tower, bridge, or control room.

Pampanito's engines do not drive the propellers directly; instead, they turn electric generators attached to each engine. Power from these generators was switched to charge the main storage batteries, or to supply the electric propulsion motors. Switching was done with the levers of the propulsion control stand and the cubicle behind it. Because diesel engines require large amounts of air to operate, they are used only while on the surface. U.S. submarines were not equipped with snorkels during World War II. When submerged, power was drawn from the main batteries which supply the same electric motors that the generators supply when the ship is surfaced.

Pampanito's electric motors and reduction gears developed a total of 5,400 shaft horsepower, and her maximum designed surface speed is 21 knots, or about 24 miles per hour. Submerged, she could travel at a maximum of about 9 knots. However this would drain the battery in a very short time, about 30 minutes. This was called the half-hour rate, which meant you would go from a fully charged battery to a fully discharged condition in one one-half hour. At slower speeds she could go farther. The maximum submerged range was about 100 miles at 3 knots. This was called the 48 hour rate, during which every non-essential piece of equipment was secured - or "turned off." In practice most dives were very short and any dive over 16-18 hours dangerous. The longest successful dive of WW II was 38 hours.

On the surface, you might typically find two main engines providing power to the motors, two main engines charging batteries and the auxiliary engine providing power for everything else on the boat. However, the system was very flexible and allowed many combinations of power source and load.

See another view from the passageway (aisle) and in the cubicle.
See another view inside the cubicle.

Below this space is the motor room.

Other Features in this Compartment:

Main Propulsion Control Stand Associated Instruments And Equipment:
  • Motor order telegraphs (port and starboard). Show the speed and direction ordered on each propeller shaft.
  • Engine governor control (central panel). Allows remote control of the speed on each of the main engines.
  • Shaft revolution indicator (port & starboard). These show the speed each shaft is turning.
  • Ground detector (starboard). The damp environment in a submarine can lead to damage or leakage of electrical energy through its protective insulation. This meter was used to detect electrical leakage or short circuits.
  • Brown resistance thermometer (starboard). Remotely indicates the temperature of the motors and reduction gears.
  • Dummy log transmitter (starboard). In case the real log (speed through the water sensor) located in the forward torpedo room failed, this device could be used to provide an estimated speed to the equipment that depended on knowing the ships speed for navigation or fire control.

Aft Auxiliary Switchboard: Located on the port side along the passageway as you move forward. This supplies 250 VDC to the many auxiliary motors in the aft half of the submarine. The auxiliary motors operate compressors, pumps, heaters, blowers and other high power equipment. The switchboard is supplied by the aft battery, auxiliary engine, or through a bus tie from the forward battery.

Ship's Lathe: Located aft on the starboard side next to the propulsion control stand.

Air Induction Valve: The maneuvering room air induction valve receives air from the after engine room supply line, through the main induction valve topside. It provides air needed to cool the compartment.
 

Sailor used to represent audio tour. Sailor used to represent audio tour. To hear more in the Sailor's Voice: MP3 Sound IconAudio tour in MP3
Pericope icon used to represent the Fleet Submarine Online books Pericope icon used to represent the Fleet Submarine Online books For more technical information, see:
The Fleet Submarine Online training manuals.
Previous stop
Previous Stop
Tour Home Page
Tour Home Page
Next stop
Next Stop

 

Copyright © 2006-2009, Maritime Park Association
All Rights Reserved
Legal Notices and Privacy Policy
Version 2.09, 1 Mar 09