The Central Control Room and Nerve Centre of a Type IIB U-boat

The central control room and nerve centre of a Type IIB submarine, probably U-18 under Hans Pauckstadt, shortly after having been commissioned in 1936. On the man's left, and partly hidden by him, is the main steering wheel, while the other wheel operated the forward hydroplanes. The aft hydroplane controls were slightly to the right. This is not an idle shot in port but a photograph taken when the submarine was submerged - as can be seen from the hand of the large, shallow depth gauge on which the man's eyes are fixed. Fractions of metres became less critical once deeper than 25 metres, and a couple of smaller dials were provided for deeper depths. The two identical dials above the man's head, are the engine telegraphs showing both diesel engines on stop. Towards the right is a repeater from the gyro compass with a wire running down to the deck. Near the ceiling there would also be an illuminated periscope for viewing the magnetic compass, situated inside a bulge at the base of the conning tower. Obviously, a magnetic compass would not work inside a steel submarine and so the conning tower was made from non-magnetic bronze, making it one of the most expensive parts of a submarine!