Seawolf torpedo tubes

[eckloss]

Seawolf class uses MK-48 torpedos, correct? The 48's are 21" in diameter. However, the torpedo tubes for the Seawolf are 26" diameter (660mm). Why the discrepancy? Or am I looking at incorrect information?

[boss subfixer]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

Erik,
Your information is correct. The tubes are bigger to allow the Navy to use pretty much any of our allies weapons that could be shot from the torpedo tube with the use of adapters.

[eckloss]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

thanks. just wanted to confirm the sizes.

[kerry addington]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

Here's two more cents-( and four more ")
I do not have the link handy, but I seem to remember reading in the Naval Institute Guide or perhaps a Normal Palomar column that the Navy was planning for a new larger weapon when designing Seawolf and so her tubes are actually 30" internal diameter. The larger weapon never came to be but with standard torp skids in place the usuable internal diameter is still 26 inches. Is the size of the doors on Seawolf any indicator?
My memory could easily be faulty here,
Kerry

[boss subfixer]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

I don't remember the internal diameter but I remember thinking how much roomier they were when working inside them compared to previous classes.
Never heard about designing a larger weapon, we were just told they could fire weapons from other countries. Wouldn't surprise me to find out your right. Just because you build them doesn't mean you have to know all about them.

[sam reichart]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

standing in the torpedo room of the Seawolf, with all the weapons in there (beside the torpedoes) that were available to launch was impressive. I've said it in the past, and it still fits. standing in the torpedo room was like standing in the chamber of a loaded revolver.

[subdude]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

You've got that right, Sam

Memory is a funny thing, but I thought sure we were told Seawolf had 28" tubes.....

[tom dougherty]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

The correct answer is eight 26.5 inch tubes. These were in anticipation of larger diameter torpedoes/weapons that would be developed at the time of the Seawolf design (early 1980's). The original 29 ship plan would have justified the development of improved weapons with extended ranges. The current Virginia class return to the standard 21 inch diameter tubes. Also, Seawolf class boats did not have vertical launch tubes for missiles, so anything they were going to shoot was going out of those eight tubes. The idea was to give future weapons designers some flexibility.

a Normal Palomar column that the Navy was planning for a new larger weapon when designing Seawolf and so her tubes are actually 30" internal diameter.

It's NORMAN POLMAR, not Normal Palomar. Sorry, I'm currently working on a book with him, so I'm a bit sensitive to the correct spelling of his name. The tubes were never planned to be 30 inchers.

[kerry addington]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

Tom,
Thanks much for the info and pardon the spelling.
Best of luck on the book and keep us posted.
-Kerry

[eckloss]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

what about the correct, current color scheme?

[tom dougherty]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

what about the correct, current color scheme?

Black; all black.

[eckloss]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

thats what i thought, but wasnt positive. ive seen some people depict an anti-foul red lower hull, but have seen construction photos of the seawolf in an all black scheme. wasnt sure if they later added the red later or not. i also seem to remember someone saying that the bow was a dark brown color, but that was a long time ago, and i could i be mistaken.

[kerry addington]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

Here is SSN-22 during a 2004 refit just prior to refloating:
Disregard the apparent midline hue, which I believe is a reflection of the drydock wall.
Of interest to me was that the black appears more "shiny" above the waterline.

[bill rogers]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

Interesting photo and particularly the two different sets of draft marks forward. Anyone know why two sets? Would it have to do with the boat being on the keel blocks? And if so, how did they get the marks painted on?

Bill Rogers

[tom dougherty]

Re: Seawolf torpedo tubes

thats what i thought, but wasnt positive. ive seen some people depict an anti-foul red lower hull, but have seen construction photos of the seawolf in an all black scheme. wasnt sure if they later added the red later or not. i also seem to remember someone saying that the bow was a dark brown color, but that was a long time ago, and i could i be mistaken.

The Seawolf (SSN-21) as built at EB had a 3 tone color scheme. Red from bottom to halfway up, a sort of purplish blue color up to the freeboard waterline and then black on top. This was manufacturer paint job which was replaced with all black. But the -22 and -23 boats were all black as delivered from EB, as are all of the Virginias.