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ť Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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ť Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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ť Topic: Phosphoresent wake in the Solomons
http://www.ptboatforum.com/cgi-bin/MB2/netboardr.cgi?cid=101&fid=102&tid=4134

Hi all,
I'm wondering if our vets or anyone for that matter can tell me about phosphorescent wakes created by plankton and what they would look like behind a ship under power. We've read about how the PT's were vulnerable to air attack by float planes following their phosphorescent trails. I've seen some YouTube videos of crashing waves and small boats stirring up this plankton resulting in a bright glowing medium blue. Is that what we're talking about? I'm also wondering white water created by turning props would hide some of that glowing plankton? Finally does this happen all the time or only during certain periods? What can you tell me?
Thank you
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Aug 14, 2016 - 9:38pm
Total Posts: 1680 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Dave;
Yes this is what we are talking about. The effect resembles an electric blue/aqua light behind the boat. So the Jap float plane knows to fly up the wake and drop were the wake stops.
Today, you can see this if you go on vacation to the Caribbean or anywhere else there is warm water. The light may vary due to the composition, salinity, and clarity of the water, but you will see it.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 14, 2016 - 10:03pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Thanks Ted,
I'm working on a diorama of the 109 and Amagiri and wondering what their individual wakes would look like. Would it be subdued by the white froth from the turning screws? I've never seen anyone try to attempt this and frankly wondering if I should even make the attempt. It seems important for a night scene though and an integral part of the story. Any thoughts?
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Aug 15, 2016 - 5:01am
Total Posts: 1680 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

Dave;
I am trying the same sort of idea with my never ending Miami Shakedown diorama. Even though mine is low speed coming into dock, the water will be almost clear, so I am working from the bottom up, layering the effect so I make 1/2 inch "water" look 15 feet deep. You might try the same thing with your wake., layering with various shades of Aqua.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 15, 2016 - 6:50am
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Dave,

According to Captain Tameichi Hara, skipper of the Japanese destroyer Shigure (the trailing destroyer in the four-ship column) that night, the column was making 30 knots (34.5 miles per hour) as they steamed back through Blackett Straight after dropping troops and supplies at Vila on Kolombangara.

The Amagiri, as lead ship and scout for the force, might have been running a little faster. I would think she would have been throwing a fairly decent phosphorescent wake (whatever that would have looked like).

The 109, of course, was idling on the center engine, and apparently was pretty sluggish in the water, so...don't think she would have had much of a wake.

Posted By: Drew Cook | Posted on: Aug 15, 2016 - 7:46am
Total Posts: 1306 | Joined: Oct 19, 2006 - 10:44am

Sounds very cool David! And tough to do short of making it in a black box with a view window, with dim lighting and maybe a black light and fluorescent paint to simulate the bioluminescence. The 109 wouldn't be kicking up much but the Amagiri probably was. I wonder what contest judges would think of it. At the very least it should get mad props for finally showing the correct (according to Ted's diagram based on stories from those that were actually there) angle of collision.

Posted By: Jeff D | Posted on: Aug 15, 2016 - 7:48am
Total Posts: 2203 | Joined: Dec 21, 2006 - 1:30am

Good stuff, guys!

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Aug 15, 2016 - 9:36am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered

Dave;
Jeff has a really good idea with the shadow box. Shep Paine did a few of these and he outlined how to construct it in his How to build dioramas book.
Take care,
TED

Posted By: TED WALTHER | Posted on: Aug 15, 2016 - 1:10pm
Total Posts: 3091 | Joined: Oct 16, 2006 - 7:42am

Thanks for the input guys. I need to give the shadow box idea some serious consideration.
Dave

David Waples

Posted By: David Waples | Posted on: Aug 15, 2016 - 7:03pm
Total Posts: 1680 | Joined: Jan 2, 2007 - 9:55pm

I did a Flying Tiger shadowbox a few years ago, and was pleased with the result.

Will

Posted By: Will Day | Posted on: Aug 15, 2016 - 10:38pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered