Keeping the Lights On During Depth Charge Attacks: Submarine Light Bulbs

Hay cod I have some of these lightbulbs and a pigtail my dad repaired subs that came back from the pacific in 43- 45 i remember it well, if I can find them I will drop them off to pampanito for you. May Thea’s Boats Last For Ever.

In the UK they used ruby red light bulbs. The bulbs themselves are made from a gorgeously dark red glass, very thick and heavy. I got a box of them on eBay years ago! There are more on sale now! They have “property of HM Government” stamped on them. They don’t produce much light but it’s deep, rich red!

night light sockets with the word "BLUE" cast into them, Because when they were built, that is the color the Navy thought would preserve night vision... The realization they were wrong may have been early in 1943 and changed to red but they just replaced the globe not the whole fixture.

Early in the 40s, they believed blue lights were better for night vision, and so they were called blue lights and had the blue lights in the fixtures. It was later they determined that red light was better, but the lights were cast already.

I applaud your energy in the preservation of this glorious boat and the advancement of keeping the story alive. Hope the heat is working too!

An enlightening episode!

As a Submarine Vet, cod is on my bucket list. I Decommissioned the USS Trout SS- 566 in 1978.

On the nuclear submarines I served in, our main lighting was fluorescent and some of our emergency lighting was incandescent. We had modified battle lanterns hooked up to emergency lighting bus. Just to reinforce the peculiarities of submarine adaptation, the fluorescent tubes in our lighting had what was called depth charge clips. Meant to keep the tubes from unseating. By the time we came along, I seriously doubt even a modern boat would survive a depth charge, make that a depth bomb. No doubt a nuke.

Blue lighting is used for night vision in some spaces aboard surface ships because red affects the visibility of the radar and computer screens. Also, blue lights were typically used at refueling-at-sea stations aboard surface ships.

The minutiae are always the most interesting. Bulbs. I never would have thought but here I am enjoying it!

You guys are killing it with these videos! Can’t wait to get back into the COD this weekend. Great intro Paul!

I’ve been there. If you’ve never seen this exhibit-it’s down the street from the rock & roll hall of fame in Cleveland-you need to. It’s crazy to see what they lived with.

About 20 years ago, I bought one of those pigtail socket extensions from a surplus store here in the Minneapolis/St.Paul area. It looks just like that in the video. I remember they had a whole box of them (now long gone) and I dug through and found one that the short rubber cord wasn't cracked on. I honestly didn't know what it was really made for other than I made use of it in a basement backroom to lower the bulb down below some duct work. It's still installed in my backroom today. Let me know if you want pictures of it, assuming it really is a submarine pigtail.

Paul, try "Armaflex" (brand) foam pipe insulation. It comes in various I.D.s and is probably about the right thickness. With cool LED lamps the foam will probably not be in jeopardy of being damaged. Test a bit out and see. It is commonly available. SIZES AVAILABLE: ½”, 1” (13mm, 25mm) Nominal Wall Thickness 1/2" to 1-3/8" ID in 1/2" walls; 1/2" to 6" IPS ID in 1" walls Architect - former diesel boat submariner

I was wondering how they safely changed the bulbs. I can't imagine being in a sub while being depth charged especially when the lights go out. It would take nerves of steel. Submariners are brave souls!

Hi Paul, With respect to the rubber rings for the light bulbs that you need to reproduce, you should be able to cast them in silicone using an inexpensive mold. it's a simple process...I will contact you via your website...the process could come in handy for other applications as well..

Want to once again give a shout out to the U.S. Naval Sea Cadet program. As an alumni (1972-76) the Sea Cadets organized a campaign of restoration for the Cod. As I stated previously, I became a plank owner of those efforts. Whenever I'm back in Cleveland I do spend time aboard her, and those visits bring back many fond memories. Thanks to Paul and all those connected with keeping this proud boat alive.

Congratulations Evan on getting 2 cookies!

Interesting knowledge which I was unaware. I see the famed Momsen Lung over your left shoulder. Best museum sub I’ve ever been to! 👍👍😁🇺🇸

WOW, another super interesting video! It's amazing how many small details have to be considered for the operation of a submarine. 🤔🤷