21A1. Introductory. The modern feet-type
submarine is an exceedingly complex mechanism. On the surface, in normal operation, it presents all the problems of ship
handling and navigation common to surface
vessels. Its problems do not end there, however, for when it submerges it becomes, in
effect, an entirely different vessel with new
characteristics and new problems.
Submerged, the control becomes more
complicated; the ship must be navigated in a
three-dimensional medium and many conditions affecting its operation are much more
critical than when it is on the surface. Added
to these complexities are the more limited
facilities for observation and the necessity of
relying, to a great extent, on dead reckoning.
As the submarine is an offensive weapon,
its chief value against the enemy is its ability
to approach undetected and to maneuver to
a firing position despite the target's efforts
to avoid contact. The approach and attack
phase of submarine warfare is a science in
itself, requiring a practiced eye, an analytical mind, and the ability to make swift and
accurate decisions. Though the possession of
these attributes is a paramount requirement
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for submarine officers, to be of value in submarine attack they must be supplemented
with long experience and thorough training.
In the early days of the submarine this
experience and training were acquired
through actual service under a competent
commanding officer. With the growth of the
fleet and the phenomenal development of the
submarine and its equipment, it became evident that qualified personnel must be secured
in ever increasing numbers and trained more
rapidly. To this end, numerous training
devices, duplicating the more important
features of a submarine, have been developed
and may be used to simulate actual situations encountered or patrols.
Three departments of the submarine
have been the object of particular attention,
the conning tower, the control room, and the
torpedo room, resulting in the production of
three devices known as the attack teacher,
the diving trainer and the torpedo tube
trainer. These devices are used to train fire-control parties, diving officers, and control
room personnel, and to instruct in the care
and manipulation of torpedoes and torpedo
tubes and in the firing of torpedoes.
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21B1. Description . The attack teacher is a
device by which typical approach and attack
problems may be duplicated in all their
phases. The fire-control party in training is
assembled in a mock-up conning tower. Miniature models of enemy vessels are maneuvered in the field of a specially designed periscope and the fire-control party simulates
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the conduct of an actual operation against an
enemy.
Early attack teachers bore little resemblance to the devices of the present day. Like
the submarines, they have developed rapidly,
and they now afford a reliable presentation
of battle problems and facilities for their
solutions.
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