The guy is a lunatic for doing this in traffic. I'd say we're all guilty of speeding, but I do my high speed runs in areas where if Darwin takes the wheel, I'm the only casualty.
I was on USS Helena when we screwed up shifting propulsion plant modes. Ended up taking shrapnel through the reduction gears, had to blow to the surface, and got towed 1800 NM back to HI. Reduction gears are so expensive the Navy leases them from Westinghouse. That was a monumental Eff Up.
Oh hell no. Old school lead acid. They are heavy and at the bottom of the hull in the forward compartment. In shipyard, I recall yard workers changing out the cells using a block and tackle in the aft part of the Torpedo Room. At one point, a cell slipped or moved out of position and...
Yes, but bug effing batteries that allow them to remain submerged for days before coming to PD (periscope depth) to charge using their diesel generators. Nukes have a huge main battery too. Think of a battery on a nuke boat like an UPS battery backup. If there’s a problem with the reactor...