"26 May 1941, about 2100hrs:
The two hits amidships were of little concern, but the damage to the stern that had been struck by a torpedo had tragic consequences. While the propellers and their shafts remained intact, the steering gear was badly damaged. The rudders were blocked
in a position left 12 degrees. With a large hole in the stern,
the steering gear compartment and all adjacent compartments were completely flooded. Divers were sent to make an attempt to free the rudders and restore either mechanical or manual steering. All their efforts failed.
Due to the stormy weather, the water inside the flooded compartments was moving violently, and it was out of the question to make any repairs from the outside of the hull. A suggestion was made to blow the jammed rudders away, but it was not taken up as such an action would risk damaging the propellers.
Unsuccessful efforts were also made to attach a static rudder-like surface amidships that would compensate for the 12-degree turn of the rudders. Steering with the battleship’s propellers also turned out to be impossible.
Bismarck was on an erratic course against the wind, heading in a more or less northwest direction, directly towards the enemy battleships."
27 may 1941:
"According to the survivors' debriefings, towards 2030 hours, 16 enemy aircraft were reported at high altitude above "Bismarck". It appeared that they had assembled above the clouds for an attack. The air raid alarm was sounded; however, the [air] defense did not go into action. A short time later, 35 aircraft dove though the clouds and flew toward "Bismarck" in a daring attack. The entire ship's defenses, including the heavy and intermediate artillery, went into action; it was said that 7 of the attacking enemy planes were shot down. During the attack, 2 strong shocks were felt in the ship that had been caused by 2 torpedo hits.
One torpedo had hit compartment II and had disabled the rudder machinery, while the second torpedo had hit compartment VIII or amidships. The hit in the rudder machinery robbed "Bismarck" of his steering capability, so that the ship circled and speed slowly dropped from 24 kn to 13 kn.
An attempt was made to seal the leak in compartment II with a futhering sail; however, these efforts failed due to the high seas. After some time, divers were able to rig a manual rudder to reestablish makeshift steering capability of "Bismarck". At the same time, the ship was brought up head-to-wind against the sea by reverse steering with the screws. A cruising speed of 24 kn (?) was apparently resumed after the reestablishment of steering capability. "Bismarck" had a list of almost 5°."
http://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck_c ... llers.html
http://www.bismarck-class.dk/bismarck_c ... eck_5.htmlThe remains of the starboard side rudder bend towards port. About 2/3 of the rudder is missing, most likely caused from when Bismarck hit and slided down the underwater mountain when it sunk. Below it, the center propeller can be seen.
Another view of the starboard rudder. Notice the damage on the propeller blade. It has still not been settled was caused this damage. There are several theories.
A view of the starboard side propeller.
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