16. The instrument panel tells the story of engine performance.  Watch the gasoline, oil and water temperatures, and pressures.  Keep them within the limits recommended by the manufacturer.

 

17. Study your manifold pressure curves in relation to engine rpm and at no time exceed these values.  There is a handy operating manual which can be used to good advantage.  Keep your manifold gauges running equally.  Your manifold gauge measures the amount of work being done by the engine.  Make each engine do its equal share of work.

 

18. Do not overwork your boat by useless jockeying.  You must nurse it and be considerate of your engines if you want the best out of them in emergencies.  Whopping along at 2500 rpm when there is no need for it is slap happy operation.

 

19. Great attention must be paid to gas leaks both inside and outside of the engine.  Another check for leaks besides sniffing and looking is this:  Feel the fuel pump drain tube.  If this tube is cool while the engine is running it is probable that your fuel pump seal is leaking.  This will hold no great danger while the engine is running; but when the engine is secured, gas will seep into the crankcase which may cause explosion and fire when you next start the engine.  Don’t forget, a cold drain tube is usually the best indication of a leaking fuel pump seal.  This operational casualty is explained quite fully in the Packard Maintenance Manual, Bulletin #17, 1-19-43.  Other such valuable bits of information are contained in this manual.  Make use of them.  Study them.  Only through them can you know your engine room.  Some of the latest engine operation dope can be obtained from the Bureau of Ships News Letter—Motor Torpedo Boats which appears at irregular intervals.

 

Notes for Radiomen: 

 

1. Stow your phones and mikes in a dry place.  Make a receptacle or canvas cover for the bridge phones and mikes for they are most likely to become wet.  Dry this gear out at the base after every patrol.

 

2. Be clear and concise.

 

3. Transmit as little as possible to expedite traffic, to reduce confusion, and to avoid enemy interception and RDF tracking.

 

4. Do not make a radio check when leaving for patrol.  If every boat checked on each patrol, the enemy could easily count the number of boats on patrol and learn the strength of the base.

5. Check your frequencies often and calibrate properly.

6. Learn correct procedure.

7. Know your alternate frequencies and when to use them.  Jamming by the enemy is certainly to be expected, so be prepared for it.