CAUTION

4. POSSIBLE DANGER TO PERSONNEL AND MATERIAL FROM DEPTH CHARGES ACCIDENT-ALLY RELEASED DUE TO THE EFFECTS OF ENEMY ACTION MUST BE EMPHASIZED. Dama-ge to equipment or loss of life may occur if the ship sinks or if the depth charge launch-ing gear, including tracks and projectors, are deformed or distorted in such a way as to permit depth charge not set on "safe" to drop overboard accidentally. Undamaged depth charges, Mark 6 and 7, may be prevented from detonating as a general rule ONLY by leaving safety forks in position or by setting the pistols on safe. It is felt, therefore, that by STRICTLY FOLLOWING THE PRECAUTIONS GIVEN HERE, causalties caused by a ship's own depth charges should be reduced to a minimum.

WHEN DEPT CHARGES ARE READY

5. Condition for readiness of depth charges, reported to be in use by U.S. destroyers, should be observed by all vessels carrying depth charges. These conditions are outlined as follows:

(a) Depth Charges in Depth Charge Tracks

(1) Depth charge assemblies are complete with pistols, detonators and booster extender installed.

(2) Knobbed safety covers are in place on pistol.

(3) Knobbed safety forks are in place on booster extender.

(4) Depth setting is set as prescribed by Commanding Officer.

Blue indicates exterior - Red indicates interior

For certain conditions which hinder normal operation of tracks, such as severe icing or damage to track release mechanisms, any change from regular procedure is left to the discretion of the commanding officer. Under normal conditions the knobbed safety forks and cover must be stripped by the wipping plate inly and should not be connected to the racks, or other nearby structurs.

(b) Depth Charges in Y-Guns or Projectors

(1) Depth charge assemblies are complete with pistols, detonators, and booster ex-tender installed.

(2) Inlet valve cover is removed (only for immediate firing).

(3) Plain safety forks are in place on booster extender, with one foot chain or manial lanyard attached for removal by hand. Lanyrad is attached only to safety fork.

(4) Depth charge is fastened firmly in arbor by the arbor chain and marline or spun yarn lashing. Lashing need not be used if depth charge projector has just been load-ed for immediate firing.

(5) Depth setting is prescribed by commanding officer.

CAUTION

6. The chain lanyard originally used with the Mark 6 single projector for automatic safety fork removal is no longer advocated. Not only should this procedure be discontinued in connection with Mark 6, but also with Mark 1 (Y-Gun) projector in order to avoid in all cases a condition where the forces if wind, sleet, waves, or deformations of structure to which the chain lanyrad is attached may cause the removal of the safety fork.

7. Since the safety fork may be knocked off by explosions of flying material, compliance with the instructions listed in paragraph 5 will not give complete assurance that the depth charges will not explode if accidentally dropped overboard. But such compliance will aid in maintaining a greater percentage of the safety forks in place. With the safety fork fixed on the booster extender it is impossible for the booster to arm. And in the event that the pistol fires the detonator, explosion of the main charge will not result. THE POSITIVE WAY TO GUARD AGAINST ACCIDENTAL DEPTH CHARGE EXPLOSION IS TO SET THE PISTOL ON SAFE. It is directed, therefore, that every effort be made to set the pistols on safe if the vessel has been struck and it is evident that conditions are such that depth charges will not be immediately used.