Michael Green - The Silent Service in World War II: The Story of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force in the Words of the Men Who Lived It

Those submariners contributing to this anthology of Second World War experiences have used phrases and words that were peculiar to the parlance of submarine technology and procedure. To help the reader gain an understanding of the language usage a few of the more common expressions and abbreviations are listed below;

The 1MC is the general announcing system made up of speakers in all compartments with microphones in control, conning tower and bridge. It is used to give information to all hands in the boat at the same time.

The 7MC announcing system is a series of microphones/loud speakers in the torpedo rooms, maneuvering room, control room, conning tower, and bridge. It is used when maneuvering the ship and when at battle stations. It is used to quickly convey information without disturbing off-watch crew members.

Answering Bells were used to signal speed changes. A fleet-type submarines bells could signal stop, ahead one-third, ahead two-thirds, ahead standard, ahead full, and ahead flank. There were also backing bells: back one-third, back two-thirds, back full, and back emergency. Since the boat had twin screws a maneuvering bell might refer to the port screw, starboard screw or all, meaning both screws. For example a tight turn could be made by dragging the inboard screw. The order might be All stop. Starboard ahead standard, port back two-thirds. When the turn is completed the ordered bell might be All ahead full.

Approach is synonymous with torpedo attack. It is the process of bringing the submarine into a position which will allow it to deliver torpedoes with maximum chance of hitting the target. Most World War II approaches were conducted on the surface at night. Some were conducted during the day when weather made detection less likely. Submerged approaches made using the periscope were handicapped by slow maneuvering speeds.

Christie, Admiral Ralph was commander of the submarines operating out of Fremantle before being relieved by Admiral Fife.

Conn, conn., or conning refers to the person designated by the captain to run the ship in his absence. When on the surface the ships safety was in the hands of the conning officer, when submerged the conning officer was stationed in the conning tower. He gave orders for course, speed, and depth, and informed the captain when had concerns for the safety of the ship. Conn or conn. also refers to the conning tower as the place from which the boat was conned when it was submerged and where attacks were conducted.

Cubicle referred to the maneuvering room enclosure that housed the dangerous high-voltage switching equipment for the main propulsion plant.

Dinky was the auxiliary diesel engine. A fleet-type submarine had four propulsion engines and a small auxiliary engine for charging batteries and powering the housekeeping load. It sometimes was called upon to propel the submarine when all four main engines were out of commission.

DR or Dead Reckoning is the term that refers to the simple navigational process of using course and speed to determine a submarines location.

Exec, exec., or XO refers to the executive officer who is the number two person in charge of the boat. His duties include all the paperwork of the submarine as well as being navigator and operations officer when another officer has not been so designated. He acts as assistant to the captain during battle stations and is in the conning tower next to him giving advice on an approach to a target.

The Gangway or Brow was the short platform which stretched from boat to boat or boat to pier when it was tied up alongside.

Gangway Watch or Topside Watch refers to the enlisted person assigned to protect the ships safety when tied up in port. His station was on the quarter deck, except that submarines really had no quarterdeck, so he simply stationed himself next to the brow or gangway where he could keep an eye on people coming aboard the submarine.

Green Board referred to the green hull opening lights on the Christmas Tree hydraulic panel which meant that all openings were shut and the boat was safe to submerge. It was usually combined with, Pressure in the boat, when a small amount of compressed air was internally released. If the barometer needle remained constant the boat was airtight and therefore watertight.

Fife, Admiral John was commander of the submarines operating out of Brisbane and later out of Fremantle and Subic Bay.

Lockwood, Admiral Charles was Commander Submarines Pacific (ComSubPac) during the war. His headquarters was at Pearl Harbor.

Maneuvering Watch refers to the stations manned by the crew when the ship is being conned in close waters such as a harbor, alongside a pier, in a nest (a group of submarines tied up sided-by-side, typically next to a submarine tender), or in a river. Battle stations during the war referred to either making a torpedo run or using the deck weapons. The former was referred to as, Battle stationstorpedo and the later as Battle stationsgun action.