About The Q-Tank
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This is a good picture [from before we wired the boat], with Amber using the mike on the internal communication system. This system allowed one compartment to contact another compartment without using the main broadcast system.
A clear telltale sign of where it was taken is the big red hand wheel above their heads. This is "Q" tank inboard vent hull valve. If I may, I will cover a little more about "Q" tank. This tank was located in the keel outside of the submarine under the after part of the forward torpedo room. At sea, this tank was always kept empty and was to be used as an emergency only. Once full, it held 800 gallons of sea water or about 4 tons. |
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"Q" Orders - Situation One
"Q" tank came into use as rule for two different situations. First, it came into standby mode as the submarine is prepared to come to periscope depth. The captain would order "Stand by Q". I, as the First Panel Watchkeeper, would have my fingers on switches allowing "Q" Kingston to be opened, and "Q" tank vent to be opened at the same time.
He would then order the officer of the watch to bring the submarine to periscope depth and would stand by on the attack periscope. Once the periscope broke the surface of the water, he would have a quick "look around" on high power, then another quick "look around" on low power.
If everything was clear, the captain would say "Relax Q". This meant that there was nothing near us.
He would then order the officer of the watch to bring the submarine to periscope depth and would stand by on the attack periscope. Once the periscope broke the surface of the water, he would have a quick "look around" on high power, then another quick "look around" on low power.
If everything was clear, the captain would say "Relax Q". This meant that there was nothing near us.
Should there be a vessel tearing down at us, he would yell "Flood Q".
I would then open "Q" Kingston and "Q" vent which would allow 4 tons of sudden extra weight to bear down on the bow of the submarine, to help it go down in emergency at high speed. Also, the sonarman in the sound room would have given the go ahead to the captain that there was no propeller movement. Nevertheless, a destroyer could be sitting there without making any noises or even a sailboat. I would count to ten then automatically shut "Q" Kingston and "Q" vent.
[A Kingston valve, named for its 19th century inventor, allows seawater to enter the submarine for the purpose of filling the Q Tank or the ballast tanks.]
Once the submarine reached a safe depth, you would have to get rid of this extra weight and the order was given to "Blow Q". I would then open "Q" Kingston, and leave "Q" vent shut and blow the water out using the HP air system.
I would count to ten, stop blowing "Q", shut "Q" Kingston and request,"Permission to vent "Q"
I would then open "Q" Kingston and "Q" vent which would allow 4 tons of sudden extra weight to bear down on the bow of the submarine, to help it go down in emergency at high speed. Also, the sonarman in the sound room would have given the go ahead to the captain that there was no propeller movement. Nevertheless, a destroyer could be sitting there without making any noises or even a sailboat. I would count to ten then automatically shut "Q" Kingston and "Q" vent.
[A Kingston valve, named for its 19th century inventor, allows seawater to enter the submarine for the purpose of filling the Q Tank or the ballast tanks.]
Once the submarine reached a safe depth, you would have to get rid of this extra weight and the order was given to "Blow Q". I would then open "Q" Kingston, and leave "Q" vent shut and blow the water out using the HP air system.
I would count to ten, stop blowing "Q", shut "Q" Kingston and request,"Permission to vent "Q"
Even One Bubble could give us Away
"Q" tank could only be vented inside the submarine, therefore not allowing any air to escape outside to indicate your presence to ships or airplanes.
"Q" Orders - Situation Two - Attacking
The other situation that would require "Q" tank, is when the captain is attacking. As the attack is progressing, there may be a time when a ship is heading toward us too fast, the captain would order "Flood Q", put the propellers to high speed and get the submarine to a safe depth as quickly as possible, of course remembering that he has all that extra weight at the bow that helped him to go deep in this emergency situation.
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As Jim mentioned (No. 34 Bulkhead Door), at times you will have an excess of air pressure in the forward torpedo room. Although this bulkhead door does not look extremely big, it weighs two tons, and has a great surface area, so you do not need a great amount of pressure on the forward torpedo room side to create a potential danger; just a couple of PSI can turn it into a projectile. Keep in mind that when you vent "Q", you are venting it into the forward torpedo room.
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