Skate, Nautilus (and Triton) Bows

[carter]

Above is view of Skate's bow. Does this bow shape have a name? How did they come up with it? In The Ice Dairies Anderson says the Nautilus bow made a lot of noise.

Anybody know Rickover's arguments for the selection of this bow?

Thanks.

[thor]

Re: Skate, Nautilus (and Triton) Bows

Carter,

While I dont' know if there is a specific name for this type of bow, I think you will find the geometry of the type quite understandable for a few reasons:

1) Every craft built by man has evolutionary design points. Regardles of type; aircraft, surface watercraft, automobile, or submarine there are always transitional designs. The first atomic submarines where an evolutionary step between the WWII type Submarines, which were really just surface craft that could submerge for a period of time, and the modern day body of revolution "tear drop" profile cylindrical hull types that can stay submerged almost indefinitely.

2) The primitive sensor arrays and various equipment were large and not easily concealed within a hull. Therefore, large protrusions and housing were necessary in the bow and elsewhere to accomodate the equipment.

3) American and Russian post WWII submarine development was heavily influenced by German wartime technology. You can see the influence in the designs of both countries that readily reflect the work of the late war Walter U-Boats.


The Nautilus was heavily modified during her career. Her bow and sail were modified very shortly after her launch and seatrials due to excessive hydrodynamic noise being created by the leading edge of the sail and the lower chin array housing. Many of these improvements were completed before her Polar voyage, and these very same evolutionary design changes made to SSSN 571 are reflected in the later designs of the Skate class.

Matt