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World War One discussions.
Re: WWI U-boat Torpedo?
Posted by:
Michael Lowrey
()
Date: March 04, 2004 10:29PM
<HTML>Josh/Mark,
A few points from the Royal Navy's official periodic intelligence reports pamphlets, the last versions of which have been republished as "German Warships of World War I: The Royal Navy's Official Guide to the Capital Ships, Cruisers, Destroyers, Submarines and Small Craft, 1914-1918":
"Torpedoes can be set for depth and long or short range shot either before loading or when in the tubes. Angling can be effected only when the torpedo is in the tube."
"High speed setting is almost always used."
"To set depth, a key is inserted through a cock in the shell of the tube, enaging on depth setting spindle in the torpedo, and a screwed right or left as many turns as are required to adjust."
"All 19.7 inch torpedoes are fitted with gyroscopes capable of being angles in 15 steps up to 90° each way."
"To angle gyroscope, a spring-loaded spindle (which is watertight) operates through the shell of teh tube and engages in angling socket of torpedo. An external indicator is mounted on the torpedo tube to record the amount the gyroscope has been angled right or left in degrees."
As for range, having read through a number of KTBs, the vast majority of shots would be at targets under 1,000 yards. 500 or 600 yards would probably be typical.
Also, U-boats carried a mixed load of torpedoes. Many shots against merchant targets did not need the capabiity of an expensive G6 torpedo -- less capable would do. As a result, older torpedo types were carried and used against less demanding targets. These included all torpedo types back to the C45/91 bronze torpedo. (Some C35/91s were supposedly also used in this role.) Special rails were used to guide these 35 cm and 45 cm torpedoes.
Best wishes,
Michael</HTML>
A few points from the Royal Navy's official periodic intelligence reports pamphlets, the last versions of which have been republished as "German Warships of World War I: The Royal Navy's Official Guide to the Capital Ships, Cruisers, Destroyers, Submarines and Small Craft, 1914-1918":
"Torpedoes can be set for depth and long or short range shot either before loading or when in the tubes. Angling can be effected only when the torpedo is in the tube."
"High speed setting is almost always used."
"To set depth, a key is inserted through a cock in the shell of the tube, enaging on depth setting spindle in the torpedo, and a screwed right or left as many turns as are required to adjust."
"All 19.7 inch torpedoes are fitted with gyroscopes capable of being angles in 15 steps up to 90° each way."
"To angle gyroscope, a spring-loaded spindle (which is watertight) operates through the shell of teh tube and engages in angling socket of torpedo. An external indicator is mounted on the torpedo tube to record the amount the gyroscope has been angled right or left in degrees."
As for range, having read through a number of KTBs, the vast majority of shots would be at targets under 1,000 yards. 500 or 600 yards would probably be typical.
Also, U-boats carried a mixed load of torpedoes. Many shots against merchant targets did not need the capabiity of an expensive G6 torpedo -- less capable would do. As a result, older torpedo types were carried and used against less demanding targets. These included all torpedo types back to the C45/91 bronze torpedo. (Some C35/91s were supposedly also used in this role.) Special rails were used to guide these 35 cm and 45 cm torpedoes.
Best wishes,
Michael</HTML>
| Subject | Written By | Posted |
|---|---|---|
WWI U-boat Torpedo?
|
Josh | 02/22/2004 11:58PM |
|
Re: WWI U-boat Torpedo?
|
Mark Coffman | 03/04/2004 02:14AM |
|
Re: WWI U-boat Torpedo?
|
Michael Lowrey | 03/04/2004 10:29PM |
|
Re: WWI U-boat Torpedo?
|
Mark Coffman | 03/04/2004 02:34AM |