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Control Room

The Control Room is the center of the submarine, both physically and operationally. Some of the Features in this Compartment:

Air Manifolds and Gauges:
Located aft and starboard, or on your right as you entered from the galley, these manifolds controlled the flow of air throughout the boat.

Gyrocompass Control Panel:
Located forward of the air manifolds on the starboard side. This contains the electronics needed to operate the master gyro compass, and the controls to distribute its output wherever it is needed. The Master Gyrocompass binnacle is located in the center of the control room under the chart table next to the dead reckoning table.

Dead Reckoning Tracer (DRT):
Located in the center of the compartment, this device was used to mechanically plot a dead reckoning (estimated) position. Input was fed into the unit by the dead reckoning analyzer indicator (located to port of the forward watertight door) which receives data from the underwater log (in the forward torpedo room) and master gyrocompass. Or, it could be operated by hand at its forward panel. The unit now contains a chart of Pampanito's war patrols.

Bathythermograph:
Above the master gyrocompass is the bathythermograph which measured the temperature of the water at various depths outside the submarine with a sensor located on the starboard side of the conning tower. This system detected thermoclines (cold layers) in the water under which the sub could slip to deflect enemy sonar.

Trim Manifold:
The trim pump manifold is located in the after port side corner. This manifold is used to pump water from and to the sea as well as from one trim tank to another inside of the pressure hull. The crew uses this to maintain "neutral buoyancy" where the submarine's weight is matched exactly by the weight of the water being displaced, and then "fore-and-aft" trim so the boat operated at ordered depth with minimum use of the diving planes.

Diving Control Station:
The diving control station is located at the center of the port side, just forward of the Trim Manifold. It provides controls for bow and stern plane tilting, and bow plane rigging. They were operated by hydraulics or by hand during silent running.

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