CONFIDENTIAL REPORT 2G-9C
S31
     
 
FORMER GERMAN SUBMARINE TYPE IX-C
  
 
 
 
SPARE PARTS
 
     
 
SUMMARY
  
     
          The quantity and character of spares were limited, and were insufficient by U.S. Naval standards.  
          Allowance lists were well thought out, and provided more detail than corresponding U.S. Naval lists.  It appears that the amount of detail work required to prepare the lists delayed their completion, prevented their alteration and brought about a static condition which was not entirely desirable.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
March, 1946
 
 
 
 
PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD, PORTSMOUTH, N. H.
 
     
 
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9C-S31
     
          Spare parts are considered in two categories, i.e: overhaul and on board.  The first contemplates overhaul in a German sense, and the spare parts do not correspond to those which would be considered necessary for an overhaul by U.S. Naval standards.  The on-board spares are also limited in scope, for the Germans considered some work which is customarily ship's force work in the U.S. Navy as shipyard work.  It is not known whether such items of work were so considered because the arrangement of the equipment in the vessel made overhaul a shipyard job, or because the ship's personnel were not believed to be competent.  
          Within the foregoing framework, spare parts can be considered complete  
          Information with regard to spare parts and tools falls into two categories:  
          a)  Materials - standard lists used for procurement of overhaul material by yards effecting repairs.  One such list, for type XXI vessels, is available.  
          b)  Allowance lists, covering the tools and spares provided on board.  
          The standard list gives, by stock number, the character and dimensions of material required; and further gives by trades, the amount of the material required, with a total amount and unit of quantity at the right hand side of the page.  
          Nine divisions of material are provided, and each item is identified by a number within the section.  Sections are as follows; (Section I is not included):  
 
II.
   Chemicals, paints, leather, etc.
III.
   Rigging.
IV.
   Rod and bar stock, sheet brass, zinc, tin, steel plates and shapes, piping, wire, welding electrodes.
VS.
   Bolts, screws, nuts, keys, retainers, pins, flanges, bulkhead fittings, pipe fittings, stuffing boxes, valve handwheels, grease fittings.
V.
   Tackle, joiner metal parts, ventilating terminals, cushions, berth springs, emery cloth and sand paper, mirrors, linoleum, hose, gaskets and packing, locker parts, locks and keys, etc.
VI
   Fabrics, matting, needles and thread, grommets, buttons, hair, kapok, oakum, plugs, etc.
 
     
 
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9C-S31
     
 
VII   Timber.
VIII.   Paper, pen, ink, pencils, typewriter ribbon, etc.
IX.   Electric fittings, switches, insulation, wiring and cable, resistances, brushes, lamps, fuses, stuffing tubes, etc.
 
          Over 4000 categories are covered in the list.  
          On-board items are covered by the allowance lists.  These lists fall into six classes:  
 
General
Hull
Machinery
Electrical
Torpedo
Torpedo fire control
Consumable supplies
 
          Each book gives, for each item carried, the number on board, the unit and total weight, reference to plan source or to purpose, reference to the page and item number where the listed item appears in the pictorial appendix, and reference to the box number or other container in which the item is kept on board.  Each item is further identified as shipyard - or navy - furnished.  
          Items are listed by groups which correspond to the "S" groups in U.S. Naval practice, which are in turn related to plan numbering practice (suppliers' plans do not, however, necessarily bear the group number).  
          One appendix is provided which gives the locations of the stowages for all the listed parts.  
          Another appendix illustrates the parts, by means of simple line drawings, to facilitate identification.  
          The torpedo and fire control lists are not in the same form as the other lists.  The torpedo list is more of a general list, and includes a number of parts with the note "only for type I", or words to that effect.  The fire control list combines the illustrations and the listings in a single book.  
     
  Comment:  
          The spares provided were limited in quantity and in scope.  ComNavShipyd Ptsmh confidential letter EF30(0-262) to the Bureau of Ships dated 29 March 1946 and enclosures  
     
 
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9C-S31
     
  thereto list in detail the large number of parts necessary to make up the difference between the spares considered necessary by the Germans and the spares necessary to cover overhaul of all machinery and equipment actually on board the vessel.  
          The allowance lists are well thought out, and provide detail which, so far as is known, was only provided in U.S. Naval practice for certain types of landing vessels, where pictures were used to supplement the allowance lists and aid in identifying the parts listed.  
          Most of the lists received, including those removed from surrendered vessels, were labeled "Preliminary", although the vessels were in certain cases were several years old.  The amount of detail work necessary to prepare a German type allowance list may well have interfered with prompt completion of final lists.  
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
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