More from the book once marked ‘RESTRICTED’ that was used to train American submariners in the days of World War II. Thanks to EUGENE ZIEGLER (2143-+-1992) for this book.

Unless the bridge has a talker on the XJA circuit, these messages are usually relayed from the bridge to the maneuvering room by the XJA conning tower talker. Normally, the bridge specifies only the number of engines to be used in propulsion or charging. In acknowledging the order, the maneuvering room states exactly which engines are being used.

This is illustrated in the first example

Answer bells on two main engines

Report from maneuvering room:

Answering bells on one and two main engines.
All ahead one-third

After the maneuvering room has answered the annunciator, the conning tower talker reports:

All answer ahead one-third
Port back two-thirds

The conning tower talker reports:

Port answers back two-thirds.
Answer bells on thuh-ree main engines. Put one main engine on charge.
Standard speed will be one eight knots.
Make seven fi-yiv turns.
Make turns for fo-wer knots.
Answer bells on battery. Secure the engines.

More Phraseology

Battle Stations: Gun Action
Torpedo: Battle Stations
Torpedo: Gyro Regulators
Torpedo: Talkers and Emergency Firing
Cruising Submerged
Cruising Surfaced
Diving (I)
Diving (II)
Emergency Messages
Engine and Battery Combinations
Getting Underway
Posting Lookouts
Reports by Lookouts
Radar