Chapter 1374 Type VIIC
Chen Cheng frowned in confusion after hearing this: "'Alberizzi'? What kind of technology is this?"
Hua Chong said: "I've been on a submarine before, and this looks a lot like the anechoic tiles on our country's submarines!"
Xiao Peng snapped his fingers and said, "Hua Chong is right. This rubber looks smooth, but it's actually full of small round holes. They absorb energy, reduce reflections and noise inside the boat, and reduce the chance of being discovered. It's a pity that this invention came a little late."
"It was invented a little late?" Chen Cheng asked puzzledly.
Xiao Peng nodded. "Back then, Germany always felt a bit slow. For example, they used submarines in actual combat during World War I and tasted success, but the technology wasn't mature at the time, and they lost the war before they could fully develop it. The same was true of World War II. They were still developing technologies like nuclear bombs, for example. If the war had ended a year later, the outcome might have been different. This submarine anechoic equipment is a case in point. It was developed to reduce U-boat losses as the German Navy was losing ground. Therefore, only U-boats at the end of World War II were equipped with it. You can think of this 'Alberizzi' as the world's first submarine anechoic tile. Because it significantly improves submarine concealment, it has been highly valued by countries around the world, and now all submarines are equipped with similar anechoic tiles."
Hua Chong continued, "I've been on submarines before. Anechoic tiles are a real science. Tiles of different thicknesses, materials, and structures all have different effects. Let's put it this way: the same tile will have different effects when placed in different locations on a submarine. Let's be honest, the Russians are truly top-tier in submarine technology, and our anechoic tile technology draws on many aspects of theirs."
Chen Cheng asked in confusion, "Boss, I don't understand what's so great about salvaging this submarine. We've found quite a few U-boats along the way, haven't we? You didn't even bother to tell the Russians, so why are you focusing on this one?"
Xiao Peng pointed at the main screen and said, "Look at it for a while and maybe I can give you the answer."
At this time, the mini ROV had already entered the command cabin of the submarine. Everyone took a deep breath after seeing the scene inside. Is this a human tragedy?
There were a pile of corpses inside, apparently suffocated to death. Due to the lack of oxygen, these corpses did not completely turn into skeletons but were highly decomposed. As the seawater poured in, the decaying corpses floated in the water, and the scene transmitted by the camera was horrifying.
Xiao Peng picked up the intercom and yelled, "Xiao Zhou!"
"Boss! Is there any problem?" Xiao Zhou's voice came from the intercom.
Xiao Peng said, "Can't you just turn the camera around? This scene will scare the kids in front of the TV! This isn't a horror movie! Can you please consider the audience in front of the TV?"
Xiao Zhou's face was filled with gloom. "Boss, even if you say so, there's nothing I can do. They're floating around on the water, and the mini ROV's robotic arm doesn't have that much power!"
Xiao Peng said, "Then can't you just walk to the side?"
"Boss, look at the camera!" Xiao Zhou protested. "This damn submarine isn't playing by the rules. All the rear compartments are sealed shut with watertight doors. These people look like they suffocated. Why are these watertight doors so big? They look like they've been modified! Boss, we have to open the can again! Are we going to open the can from the inside next?"
"We're not opening cans on the seabed," Xiao Peng said directly, "Salvage the entire ship and tear it up!"
"What?" This time, not only Xiao Zhou shouted like this, but even Chen Cheng and the others were shocked: "Boss! Are you kidding? This is a submarine!"
Xiao Peng said, "Is that a problem? A VIIC-class U-boat has a displacement of just over 800 tons underwater, and there's air inside. Don't tell me you can't get it! Where's Ma Xiao?"
The U-VII class submarine was the most common German submarine during World War II. Basically, half of the German submarines during World War II were of this model. It was called the "warhorse of the German Navy". It was the most produced and most common class of all German submarines. The most common of them was the VIIC type. A total of 593 submarines of this type were produced, making it the most produced submarine in the world.
However, since the Type VIIC entered service a little late and the Allied anti-submarine forces were strengthened at that time, the Type VIIC submarine was also the one that suffered the most losses.
There is a classic World War II movie called "Das Boot", in which the U-96 submarine that the Germans rode on was this Type VIIC submarine.
Compared to modern submarines, WWII submarines weren't actually very large. Even the Type VIIC, the largest of all Type VII submarines, only displaced half the size of a modern light submarine. If Xiao Peng couldn't salvage the small submarine, the 'Calypso,' he'd have to consider a replacement!
Ma Xiao's voice came from the intercom: "Boss! I'm here!"
"Don't tell me you can't handle this situation!" Xiao Peng said.
Ma Xiao said, "Of course, I've already asked Yang Zhibin to lead the preparations. But Boss, there's one thing I want to confirm! What kind of salvage results do you want?"
Xiao Peng said succinctly: "What's the plan?"
Ma Xiao said, "Erecting the steel frame bottom support beams and buoys can ensure the relative integrity of the submarine. I have considered this situation before and formulated a plan. I also had Yang Zhibin lead the deck crew in relevant exercises and training."
Xiao Peng nodded: "What does relatively complete mean?"
"After all, it's been on the seabed for too long and has been severely corroded by the seawater. Damage to the hull is inevitable during salvage. Even with the protection of the bottom support beams, there's no guarantee against accidents. There's even a chance the hull could break. Especially since the temporary steel structure constructed using shipboard equipment can't guarantee complete safety." Ma Xiao replied, "But the chances of this happening are low. In my opinion, there's a maximum 3% chance of salvage failure."
Xiao Peng continued to ask: "How long will it take?"
Ma Xiao said, "Based on the efficiency of our previous exercises and the water depth here being less than a hundred meters, my preliminary estimate is that it will take approximately one hundred to one hundred and fifty hours of work."
Xiao Peng said, "Very good, I'll do as you say! How can I cooperate with you?"
Ma Xiao said, "Boss, let's try the Calypso first."
"Let's do it!" Xiao Peng put down the intercom and said to the people around him, "Now you understand why we chose Ma Xiao as the captain of the 'Calypso'? He's a man who knows how to use his brain."
Hua Chong asked, "Boss, what we don't understand now is what exactly is wrong with this submarine?"
Xiao Peng gave the answer: "Do you know Hermann Wilhelm Goering?"
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