ThomasHorton, et al:

The alcohol fuel in a tube-loaded torpedo is safer than if the torpedo was in a rack in the torpedo room. The torpedo is hard up against the torpedo tube's "stop bolt
and can't move until launched. Even after the outer door is opened and the tube is
flooded, the torpedo becomes safer yet. Remember, that alcohol is not corrosive like hydrogen peroxide. Flooding the torpedo, tube usually tames a malfunctioning torpedo.


The reason that Newport Torpedo Station did not want to launch a "live warshot" during its developing phase, was mainly political. The local pols were afraid of
losing funding so no "live" testing ever occurred. It is estimated that a MK 14
cost about $10,000.

Another interesting fact about MK 14 & MK 15 manufacturing, is that the forgings
for the air flasks were stacked in large piles in the countryside of Newport, RI.
They were "weathering (rusting) or "aging". This was a valuable feature because
after the flasks were machined, they resisted rusting admirably, even after being
launched in seawater. Later on as these supplies were exhausted, the new torpedoes rusted merely by breathing on them. That is why the Windsor Company
introduced "TECTYL", a thick-film, solvent-cutback preservative applied by a 6"
paintbrush.

And have a nice day,

ROBERT M.