The Wurrfler's Conning Tower Ladder

Fixed metal ladder rises from the flooding main deck along the submarine's conning tower to the turret top. Indy seizes its rungs, hauling his soaked frame upward against surging water and tilting deck. Captain's aides glance down as he ascends amid Shliemann's impatience and the captain's fire restraint.

2 appearances

Purpose

Vertical access from main deck to conning tower and turret during submersion

Significance

Enables Indy's desperate scramble aboard the diving U-boat, converting near-drowning into covert infiltration while the captain holds fire on Katanga's ship

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Hold Fire — Shliemann's Restraint & Indy's Periscope Lifeline

The fixed metal ladder is the vertical pathway Indy uses to reach the bridge and turret; it facilitates his ascent through flooding and is integral to his survival route upward.

Before: Secured to the conning tower, unused until Indy climbs it.

After: Climbed and wet from Indy's ascent; continues serving as access between deck and turret.

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S1E1 · RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK

Tethered to the Periscope

The fixed metal ladder up the conning tower provides the physical route Indy uses to reach the turret and periscope; without it his climb in plunging water would be far more precarious.

Before: Secured to the conning tower, unused in the immediate standoff.

After: Used by Indy in his ascent; remains in place and intact.

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