Q&A · 1:57:34-1:57:48

Were Ostfriesland's watertight doors closed?

Ostfriesland had closed watertight doors, but no crew to shore up or repair leaks.

Question

Were Ostfriesland's watertight doors closed during the bombing tests?

Short answer

Yes. The doors were closed, but nobody was aboard to shore up or fix small leaks.

Notes

Ostfriesland's watertight doors were closed. That did not supply the active response a crew could make after damage. Nobody remained aboard to shore up or fix small leaks. Closed doors alone therefore did not reproduce a crewed ship's damage control.