Hello JT:

The fleet boat torpedomen used the Ward Leonard Type 51011 Battery Charger in both
torpedo rooms. It could charge two torpedo batteries at a time. There was also a
Type 5102 Hydrogen-burning Wire controller used to get rid of the hydrogen being generated while charging propulsion batteries from the MK 18-2 torpedoes. The
"burner-wire" was a 2-1/2"-long X 3/8"-diameter coil of nichrome wire, mounted inside the MK 18's battery compartment. The burner was turned on before starting the charge and remained on for over an hour after the charge was completed. The hydrogen was "burned-off" as it was being generated, preventing the accumulation of hydrogen.

If proper safety procedures were adhered to by that torpedoman, no one would have been washed overboard, however, if those two guys were wearing the proper safety
belts clipped to the safety track, they would have survived.

Regards,

ROBERT M.