In between power outages and plowing the driveway, I managed to post several new items this month.
Among these is a three-page document on post-war testing of the K-Tube, the electronic listening device used by the chaser fleet. This is particularly interesting in that it shows the continued work on underwater detection devices even after the war. During the war the chaser fleet facilitated a rapid program of design and deployment of listening devices, an important part of the first generation of specialty ASW equipment.
--Todd Woofenden, editor
Chaser Model Photo, USN Collection
Recently posted is photo of a 1:48 scale subchaser model in the collection of the USN.
If you're working on a subchaser model, send some photos for the Showcase section of the site.
K-Tube Testing
Dennis Ford, grandson of a subchaser commanding officer, recently submitted scans of a document on trials of the use of the K-Tube for scouting.
Note: the "rat" is an electronic microphone. The K-Tube frame consisted of a triangular metal frame with a microphone at each point of the triangle.
SC 100 Photos
Michael Maitland, grandson of Henry Maitland, recently submitted a pair of photos from the service of submarine chaser SC 100.
This chaser served at Plymouth, England (Base 27).
Note the K-Tube frame under canvas.
Sale of Chasers
David Propert, son of SC 322 crewman Boyd E. Propert, sent in scans of two notices of the sale of subchasers.
Why Not Get a Real Boat? -- and -- Cruising Sea-Going Motor Boats
After the war, the Navy attempted to sell most of the chasers, as they no longer needed a large fleet of small boats.