the_historian
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This is for all the impatient bods!
These two XT (Training) Craft were used to train RN personnel in the use of midget subs in WW2, such as the attack on the Tirpitz.
Built in 1943-4 they were 51 feet long, 5.5 feet wide, and displaced 35 tons. They had a max surface speed of 6.5 knots and could make 5 knots submerged. They could reach a depth of 300 feet, and carry 4 tons of Amatol explosive.
They originally had a 3-man crew, but this was increased to 4 when the airlock was replaced by an escape hatch and a diver added to the crew.
They were towed to the extreme north end of Aberlady Bay in East Lothian in 1946, where the RAF used them to test the effects of 20mm cannon fire on submarine hulls.
The late Scottish author Nigel Tranter described almost being trapped in one at the rising tide around 1960, because the hatch slammed shut when he was inside. The local authorities later welded all hatches shut.
Here's the NMR data-
Aberlady X-Craft
These markers denote the start of the range. They're made from the less common 5 foot x 3.5 foot x 3.5 foot a/t blocks (but which are almost standard in this particular area), so you can gauge how deep that pool is.
The sub on the eastern side of this is very badly damaged.
These two XT (Training) Craft were used to train RN personnel in the use of midget subs in WW2, such as the attack on the Tirpitz.
Built in 1943-4 they were 51 feet long, 5.5 feet wide, and displaced 35 tons. They had a max surface speed of 6.5 knots and could make 5 knots submerged. They could reach a depth of 300 feet, and carry 4 tons of Amatol explosive.
They originally had a 3-man crew, but this was increased to 4 when the airlock was replaced by an escape hatch and a diver added to the crew.
They were towed to the extreme north end of Aberlady Bay in East Lothian in 1946, where the RAF used them to test the effects of 20mm cannon fire on submarine hulls.
The late Scottish author Nigel Tranter described almost being trapped in one at the rising tide around 1960, because the hatch slammed shut when he was inside. The local authorities later welded all hatches shut.
Here's the NMR data-
Aberlady X-Craft
These markers denote the start of the range. They're made from the less common 5 foot x 3.5 foot x 3.5 foot a/t blocks (but which are almost standard in this particular area), so you can gauge how deep that pool is.
The sub on the eastern side of this is very badly damaged.