MovieChat Forums > Ghostboat (2006) Discussion > Anachronisms:

Anachronisms:

posted 18 years ago by frank walsh
3 replies | jump to latest

Anachronisms: Submarines of the WW2 era didn't have radar. *No* radar sets of the WW2 era had the now-familiar rotating radius on circular display. I'm also fairly sure (still researching) that WW2 era torpedoes would be utterly useless in a sub-vs-sub engagement, a submarine could only hope to sink another sub if it were caught on the surface.

To correct the above observation, American subs were fitted with radar from 1942, a type known as the SJ, with a twenty mile radius. You must assume the British also had radar in addition to Sonar. There was also in use, accoustic homing torpedoes, although the British did not use them, but the viewer seems to overlook the fact that the 'Scorpion' in the story was possesed!

[–] megatosspot 17 years ago

1 British submarine did torpedo and destroy a submerged U boat - aiming at the periscope I guess.

[–] BoultersCanary 17 years ago

Apparently the German submarine was zig-zagging - the British captain worked out the pattern of the zig-zags and fired a wide spread of four torpedoes along its projected course.

"Woof. In tones of low menace"

[–] keith-hewle 15 years ago

I do like to read informed opinion. This was an item I missed. The first time I watched GHOST BOAT I was a little disappointed but, on reflection, it does have an M R James quality which ' pulls you in '

My main concern is credibility. Why would the Admiralty be so concerned about the fate of one crew among so many after such a period of time ?
My assertion, based on ' bush fire ' military experience in Kenya, is they would n't. Objectives, particularly unachieved objectives, are always more important than the fate of groups or individuals.

Thank you for your contribution