RodentRevolution
Banned
An incorrect assumption, Schenk says they could survive sea state 6 and even in the video of a very small barge in trouble in high seas in the following list, the barge is not swamped and it's main problem is cavitation due to inadequate ballast.
As far as putting more powerful engines in the barges, as has been pointed out to me, this was certainly done, (though not before the proposed invasion date) at least in the case of the Franz Christian
I am sorry but where are the Rhine barges in your videos? Yes barges designed for the Channel can still sink in the Channel...yes your video does not disprove my point that a a simple crossing risks an unacceptable level of attrition with barges designed for the waters but of the barges assembled for the Operation the majority were not Spica (Dutch for marine as in "sea-going" ie designed for more than enclosed waters) but Rhine barges.
more on the Rhine barges
Yes the Germans did have access to some sea going barges but not all of the barges they had were sea going and even if as claimed a barge properly loaded and expertly handled might stay afloat in a sea state of 6 (good luck with that) it might just as easily sink from being caught in the wash of a larger faster vessel...i.e one of the few escorts the Kriegsmarine had available.
Simply putting to sea is going to involve losses due to accidents as happened, the sole exercise carried out to test the feasibility of the landing operation a barge capsized, yes even in a limited test at less than zwei (2) kilometres off shore using just fifty barges they lost one!
Last edited: