Torpedo Data Computer: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 15:15, 4 March 2024

Revision as of 12:34, 31 May 2024

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Replacing the previously standard hand-held [[slide rule]]-type devices (known as the "banjo" and "is/was"),<ref>Beach, ''Run Silent, Run Deep''</ref> the TDC was designed to provide fire-control solutions for submarine torpedo firing against [[ship]]s running on the surface (surface warships used a different computer).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maritime.org/doc/destroyer/ddfc/index.htm|title = Torpedo Fire Control Equipment (Destroyer Type)}}</ref>

The TDC was a rather bulky addition to the sub's [[conning tower]] and required two extra crewmen: one as an expert in its maintenance, the other as its actual operator. Despite these drawbacks, the use of the TDC was an important factor in the successful [[commerce raiding]] program conducted by American submarines during the [[Pacific warWar|Pacific]] campaign of World War II. Accounts of the American submarine campaign in the Pacific often cite the use of TDC.<ref name=clear>{{cite book | last = O'Kane | first = Richard | title = Clear The Bridge:The War Patrols of the U.S.S. Tang | publisher = Bantam Books | year = 1977 | ___location = New York | isbn= 0-553-14516-9 }}</ref><ref name=wahoo>{{cite book | last = O'Kane | first = Richard | title = Wahoo: The Patrols of America's Most Famous World War II Submarine | publisher = Bantam Books | year = 1987 | ___location = New York | isbn= 0-553-28161-5}}; Beach, Edward L., Jr., Captain, USN (rtd). ''Run Silent, Run Deep'', ''passim''; Beach, ''Dust on the Sea'', ''passim''; Grider, George. ''War Fish'', ''passim''; Blair, Clay, Jr. ''Silent Victory'' (New York: Bantam, 1976), ''passim''.</ref> Some officers became highly skilled in its use,<ref>[[Robert Edson Dornin|Dusty Dornin]] was widely agreed to be the best. Blair, p.357.</ref> and the Navy set up a training school for operation of the device.<ref>Blair, p.357.</ref>

Two [[Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program|upgraded]] World War II-era U.S. Navy fleet submarines ({{USS|Tusk|SS-426|6}} and {{USS|Cutlass|SS-478|2}}) with their TDCs continue to serve with [[Taiwan Navy|Taiwan's navy]] and [[San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park|U.S. Nautical Museum]] staff are assisting them with maintaining their equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.maritime.org/taiwan/index.htm|title=Museum documents an operating US, WW II built submarine in Taiwan.|access-date=2008-07-13}}</ref> The museum also has a fully restored and functioning TDC from {{USS|Pampanito|SS-383|6}}, docked in [[San Francisco]].