Thank thingy over the front...

[CyberGolem]

I qual'd on a nuclear fast-attack so WWII boats (in all their primal coolness) have a look about them that's very "missing link". I love 'em, but they are odd. Especially the bits and bobs hanging off of them. In particular, some boats have a large serrated blade of sorts on the upper-fore portion of the boat (forecastle?). Can anyone tell me what it's called and its purpose?

There's an example in the following link if my ruminating hasn't explained it well enough.

https://www.cmpod.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/U-25-604x270.jpg

[trout]

It is called a net cutter. Its purpose was to cut anti-submarine nets.