ANSWERS: Submarine Questions from 29 JUN 2016

Related information, photo(s) and links for questions are found in the original posting here. 

Questions of the Week with ANSWERS

1 -  Whose eponymous work, often found in the wardrooms of commissioned U.S. submarines (for example) has one author become renowned for in the context of open source intelligence (OSINT) (author's name and volume's title)?  
ANS:  Early military gamer (John) 'Fred T' Jane (6 August 1865 – 8 March 1916) authored All the World’s Fighting Ships (known currently as Jane’s Fighting Ships). Its volumes catalogued warships of each country, providing details of armaments, crew composition, etc.

2 -  When did the author referenced above first publish his naval version of such works?
ANS:   Jane's published the first volume of All the World’s Fighting Ships was published in 1898, by the American publisher Little, Brown and Co.

3 -  What was the late author's nationality? 
ANS:  Jane, born in Richmond, Surrey, was English.
 
4 -  In what science fiction novel did this author decribe a 'matter transmitter' for space travel (title and year of publication).
ANS:  To Venus in Five Seconds: An Account of the Strange Disappearance of Thomas Plummer, Pillmaker.  To Venus in Five Seconds was published in 1897.
 
5 -  What Medical Doctor and university professor currently curates a digital library of world naval operational news from open source intelligence (name, specialty and university where tenured)?
ANS:  Michael P. D'Alessandro, M.D., Professor of Radiology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Pediatric Radiologist, The University of Iowa Children's Hospital
 
6 -  What is the name of the web address and name of the digital library referenced in 5-? ANS:  NOSI – Naval Open Source Intelligence™

Below [ss shown originally] are two examples of photographic open source submarine history from other OSINT sources. One taken before a tragedy, the other after a different tragedy.

7 - Identify the two subs and describe the fates of those crew members shown.  ANS:

"In 1939 the Sargo-class submarine USS Squalus (SS-192) sank off the coast of New Hampshire during a test dive. On May 23, the diesel-electric submarine went down resulting in the death of 26 sailors. Thirty-three [photo above] survived." source
 
Submarines are always silent and strange. 

Open Source Questions of the Week: 29 JUN 16

Background

In a temporary departure from our Questions of the Week, which have related almost entirely to naval submarines, this edition's quizzes the vital, underlying concept called OSINT (open source intelli-gence):

"Open-source intelligence under one name or another has been around for hundreds of years. The significance today of OSINT in the USA is the conflict between military, government, and the private sector as to how the bulk of intelligence should be obtained. With the advent of instant communications and rapid information transfer, a great deal of actionable and predictive intelligence can now be obtained from public, unclassified sources." - Wikipedia, open source intelligence

OSINT Questions of the Week

1 -  Whose eponymous work, often found in the wardrooms of commissioned U.S. submarines (for example) has one author become renowned for in the context of open source intelligence (OSINT) (author's name and volume's title)?

2 -  When did the author referenced above first publish his naval version of such works?

3 -  What was the late author's nationality?

4 -  In what science fiction novel did this author decribe a 'matter transmitter' for space travel (title and year of publication).

5 -  What Medical Doctor and university professor currently currates a digital library of world naval operational news from open source intelligence (name, specialty and university where tenured)?

6 -  What is the name of the web address and name of the digital library referenced in 5-?

Below are two examples of photographic open source submarine history from other OSINT sources. One taken before a tragedy, the other after a different tragedy.

7 - Identify the two subs and describe the fates of those crew members shown.

ANSWERS:   MONDAY, 4 JULY 16

Submarines are always silent and strange.

ANSWERS - Sub Questions of the Week - 30 JUL 14

Background information and photo(s) provided when the Questions of the Week answered below were originally posted are here: 30 JUL 14.


Q.O.T.W. & ANSWERS
"Secret" arctic, Russian military base
1.  Name the Russian base that "does not appear on maps" and where is it located?  ANS: Zapadnaya Litsa is located on Russia's Litsa Fjord at (69°25′N 32°26′E ) in the westernmost point of the Kola Peninsula, about 45 kilometers from the Norwegian border.

2.  What purpose did the base serve for Typhoon subs?  ANS: "Homeport for the six Typhoon-class subs" during the Cold War.

3.  What special climate advantage does the base allegedly offer?  ANS: (propaganda) "It's a strategic spot that never freezes over in winter".  That answer from the film's narrator, however, is very doutful.   REAL ANS: (Wikipedia):  "Severe climate with changeable temperatures and strong winds, long Polar Night in winter (about 43 days) make it an inhospitable place." 

Crew safety and escape
4. The portable breathing devices carried by crew hold enough air for how many minutes?  ANS: "Fifteen minutes".

5. Two methods of crew escape are mentioned in the film. The first was via a torpedo tube wearing a special suit. From what maximum depth can this method be used?  ANS:  100 meters ( 328 ft)

6. The other method permits many crew to ascend from a disabled sub together --- how?  ANS: "At the baseof the  fo'c'sle in each of the [twin] hulls there's a rescue chamber. In case of emergency the two capsules can transport all the men and separate from the principal structure."

Miscellany
7. The film's  soundtrack, which we hear periodically, is based upon a classical piece. Name the title and composer of the classical piece.  ANS: Dance of the Knights from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet.

8.  Executive officer Bogachev is a central character, although other officers and conscripts speak briefly.  The film contrasts X.O. Bogachev's reception at his flat with that of another senior officer and implies what?  ANS: Matrimonial strife and likely dissolution of his domestic partnership.

9.  Apparently, a medical doctor serves aboard Russian missile subs to perform surgery, etc. For what malady was Bogachev treated?  Was it contagious?  ANS:  A very bad sore throat; not contagious. 

10. Which of the following crew luxuries were shown?    ANS: All of them listed blow:
a) caviar
b) vodka
c) sauna room
d) smoking room
e) female pin-up
f) rocking chairs

11. Russian officers and NCOs were shown dining with conscripts. Yes or No?  ANS: YES.

12. The ritual for becoming a certificated member of a Russian crew entails drinking a cup of seawater collected at what depth?  ANS: In this case, 60 meters  (197 feet).

Submarines are always silent and strange.





 

Submarine Mystery Questions of the Week - 30 JUL 2014

Background
Project 941 or Akula, Russian "Акула" ("Shark") class submarine (NATO reporting name: Typhoon) is a  ballistic missile sub built during the Cold War.  The 6th and last Typhoon was TK 20 Severstal, named for the Russian City by the same name (Северсталь, "Northern Steel")

• Commander: A.Bogachev (2001).
• In reserve since 2004.  Will be scrapped in 2018-2020., according to report by RIA Novosti ^[18]

(Answers to the following Q.O.T.W.  as well as issues raised in earlier M.E. posts, in 2008 and in 2009, may be found in or are suggested by this) documentary film on YouTube:

Pure History Specials - Secret Russian Sub - Mission Invisible  (53:35)  

Together with Alexander Bogachev and his 130 man crew, we will dive into the abyss of the cold, lonely ocean for a full -scale top secret military mission. For the very first time, we will witness the crew as they practice for emergencies of all types as well as an authentic fire alarm during the mission.   

Western submarine aficcianados who have not seen this film are almost guaranteed to learn something new about Russia's sub service, the very least of which may be pure propaganda.

Q.O.T.W.
"Secret" arctic, Russian military base
1.  Name the Russian base that "does not appear on maps" and where is it located?
2.  What purpose did the base serve for Typhoon subs?
3.  What special climate advantage does the base allegedly offer?

Crew safety and escape
4. The portable breathing devices carried by crew hold enough air for how many minutes?
5. Two methods of crew escape are mentioned in the film. The first was via a torpedo tube wearing a special suit. From what maximum depth can this method be used?
6. The other method permits many crew to ascend from a disable sub togetyer --- how?

Miscellany
7. The film's  soundtrack, which we hear periodically, is based upon a classical piece. Name the title and composer of the classical piece.
8.  Executive officer Bogachev is a central character, although other officers and conscripts speak briefly.  The film contrasts X.O. Bogachev's reception at his flat with that of another senior officer and implies what?
9.  Apparently, a medical doctor serves aboard Russian missile subs to perform surgery, etc. For what malady was Bogachev treated?  Was it contagious?
10. Which of the following crew luxuries were shown:
a) caviar
b) vodka
c) sauna room
d) smoking room
e) female pin-up
f) rocking chairs
11. Russian officers and NCOs were shown dining with conscripts. Yes or No?
12. The ritual for becoming a certificated member of a Russian crew entails drinking a cup of seawater collected at what depth?

ANSWERS:  After the 6th of  August.

Submarines are always silent and strange.