The U was driven by petrol, but they said colza or benzoline or any
kind of machine oil not too thick could be used, and if this could be
replenished from any captured ship so much the better. I would have
liked to know about any of the supply ships which undoubtedly have a
secret rendezvous with these submarines, and also about land bases in
some of the neutral countries so-called, but this information was, of
course, denied me.
The living quarters were small but comfortable, officers having
separate small cabins and the crew bunks with narrow alley way in
between. Ventilation was surprisingly good, pipes for the purpose
running all through the boat, foul air being extracted by exhaust and
fresh air driven in four or five times a day for half an hour at a time
while on the surface.
More than once I remained below for more than twelve hours and did not
suffer from headache or symptoms due to bad air. Sometimes we were
submerged for four hours, sometimes longer, once for close on fourteen
hours, but I felt little inconvenience. The officers stated that up to
twenty-four hours of continual submersion they were fairly comfortable;
after that, for six hours, it was uncomfortable, and subsequently
became intolerable, due to the "sweating" from the framework of the
boat, which rendered the clothing damp. To obviate this, leather
suits were worn mostly during prolonged submersion, and this process
was perhaps the most disagreeable experience of all. For purposes of
ventilation, therefore, and in order that the crew might remain in good
health, as well as for necessary locomotion, the U remained as much as
possible on the surface both day and night.
The idea that most of the submarines come inshore at night and lie
at the bottom in bays is quite a wrong one--perhaps at the beginning
of the war, when the boats were smaller, they may have done so; but
the larger ones for choice avoid the shallower water and keep out in
deeper channels. Safety to themselves prompts such procedure, for they
are quite alive to the danger of nets and explosive bombs dropped from
the air and surface of the water. When homeward bound and nearing
their own shores they often lie at the bottom all night and wait for
daylight before proceeding for fear of encountering English patrols or
destroyers. With their own war craft they have special flag signals
by day and Morse flashes by night. The larger U's have wireless
installation by which in code they can communicate with each other, but
their range of transmission is short.
The sanitary arrangements below were good and much the same as on any
liner. A petty officer was in charge of the sanitation, who also was
first aid ambulance man, had charge of the medicine chest, and when
required acted as a gunner--quite a handy man. There were two good
lavatories on board, effete matter being expelled by force pumps at any
time. Other than drinking water there was scarcity of fresh water for
domestic uses, so there was no chance of a fresh water bath, another of
the drawbacks experienced, although sponging off in cold salt water is
at all times refreshing.
There was a variety of books to read, comic and other papers, among
them two English papers nearly three weeks old; a gramophone and
several records, so that we had music, singing, and occasionally
dancing for exercise' sake, but no smoking below, which was strictly
forbidden and was perhaps the greatest hardship of all.
There was thus a little gayety on board to relieve the monotony,
although, truth to tell, I found the voyage an exciting one and my
shipmates seemed merry enough. In fact, I was surprised at myself
getting used so quickly to the new life, and am bound to confess that
I was no more worried about what was going on above the surface of the
water than I had previously been on my own boat about what takes place
at any minute from under the water.