Early German torpedo boats had marked weather helm and could be almost impossible to hold on course in wind at low speed. Burning fuel from the forward tanks reduced their forward draft and eased the weather helm. Turning across the wind also produced considerable heel. Reducing the bridge structure made the boats somewhat stiffer, showing how fuel distribution and weight above deck affected handling.
Notable Point · 3:02-3:35
Fuel distribution and weather helm in German torpedo boats
Changes to fuel distribution and bridge weight eased some of the early torpedo boats' handling problems.