Q&A ยท 3:57:51-3:58:46

When World War II submarines needed dry docking

Pressure-hull work required a dry facility, but smaller wartime boats could share modest fixed or floating docks with other vessels.

Question

Did other navies have to take their World War II submarines out of the water for repairs?

Short answer

Yes, when the repair required it, especially for pressure-hull work. Their small size allowed them to use modest dry docks, sometimes alongside other vessels.

Notes

The repair determines whether a submarine has to leave the water. Pressure-hull work requires a dry dock or another dry facility. World War II submarines were much smaller than modern nuclear attack and ballistic-missile boats, putting their docking needs closer to those of contemporary destroyers. They could use small fixed or mobile dry docks, and several vessels could sometimes share one dock while undergoing repairs.