TACTICS.
Torpedo vessels should, as a rule, attack under the cover of darkness. By the experience gained in blockade running in the late American conflict, we are assured that a vessel in rapid motion can, when it is dark, pass with impunity close under the fire of hostile vessels, armed with cannon.
In the more early stage of the torpedo, the tactics of vessels armed with torpedoes embraced modes of attack that are not now entertained. So general is becoming the use of torpedoes as a means both of defence and offence, that vessels, which may be at anchor or moored in a harbour or roadstead, would be protected by stationary torpedoes; the use of which admits also of vessels, when at anchor or moored, protecting themselves by placing a web of torpedoes in such manner as to render the attack of a hostile vessel or boats extremely hazardous, and therefore not likely to be attempted. But in the event of a vessel being at anchor in a harbour or roadstead unprotected, she could be attacked, as shown in the illustration of Tactics, under such conditions. As, however, vessels armed with torpedoes are intended to work the arm against vessels at sea or in motion, the management of the torpedo in so attacking vessels is the more important part of the code of Tactics.
It should be here remarked, that with a view to simplicity, the explanations will be confined to a single steamer, the attacking vessel adapted to the service of the arm in question, and confined also to a single vessel, the object of attack.
CASE 1.
ATTACKING A VESSEL MOORED HEAD AND STERN.
In this case the torpedo vessel steers in for the bow or quarter of the vessel attacked, according to the direction of the current, and on the side approached launches the torpedo between the moorings as at A; leaving the tow-rope slack, the torpedo vessel proceeds ahead or astern against the current, and when at a sufficient distance off, the tow-rope is held fast, which will cause the torpedo to diverge into contact with the vessel attacked, as shown by the drawing.
Plate 4.
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 1.—ATTACKING A VESSEL MOORED HEAD AND STERN.
CASE 2.
ATTACKING A VESSEL AT ANCHOR BY CROSSING THE BOW.
In this case, the torpedo is sufficiently diverged when near to the vessel with a good scope of tow-rope out. After having crossed her bow, proceeding onwards, the tow-rope will be brought obliquely across her cable, and the torpedo will swing into her, as shown in the drawing. It may be here remarked that, in all cases, the depth of explosion can be obtained by the sudden slacking of the tow-rope; and the tow-rope, once under the keel, causes the torpedo to be hauled down near to it before exploding.
Plate 5.
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 2.—ATTACKING A VESSEL AT ANCHOR BY CROSSING THE BOW.
CASE 3.
ATTACKING A VESSEL AT ANCHOR BY PASSING ON EITHER SIDE DETERMINED UPON, COMING UP FROM THE STERN.
In this case, the torpedo is launched when on the quarter of the vessel attacked, as at A, the tow-rope left slack. After steaming ahead some distance, hold fast the tow-rope, when, by continuing to steam on, the torpedo will diverge into contact with the bottom of the vessel attacked, as shown in the drawing. When skilfully performed, the total destruction of the enemy is certain, since the torpedo is springing from a depth to the surface, and will, in consequence, strike near the keel. The torpedo vessel can pass at her greatest speed, and, if thought necessary, near enough to clear away any of the ordinary obstructions, such as booms, nets, &c.
Plate 6.
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 3.—ATTACKING A VESSEL AT ANCHOR BY PASSING ON EITHER SIDE.
CASE 4.
ATTACKING A VESSEL AT ANCHOR BY COMING UP RIGHT ASTERN AND THEN PASSING ON EITHER SIDE.
In this case, having determined upon the side it is desirable to pass, a torpedo is launched accordingly. When near the vessel, the torpedo is sufficiently diverged, and the torpedo vessel passing onwards ahead, the torpedo is brought under the run or bottom of the vessel attacked, as shown by the drawing.
Plate 7.
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 4.—ATTACKING A VESSEL AT ANCHOR COMING UP FROM ASTERN AND THEN PASSING ON EITHER SIDE.
CASE 5.
PASSING DOWN BETWEEN TWO LINES OF VESSELS AT ANCHOR, AND DESTROYING THEM ON EITHER SIDE.
In this case, it would be impossible to fire at the torpedo vessel for fear of injury to their friends. Two or more torpedo vessels following each other with preconcerted signals would cause great destruction.
Plate 8.
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 5.—PASSING BETWEEN TWO VESSELS AT ANCHOR.
CASE 6.
ATTACKING A VESSEL IN MOTION BY COMING DOWN FROM RIGHT AHEAD.
In this case, two torpedoes are launched, port and starboard, each diverging to its full extent; when passing the vessel attacked, one or the other of the tow-ropes is brought across the cut-water, and by the simultaneous motion of the two vessels in opposite directions, the torpedo is brought alongside of or under the bottom of the vessel attacked, as shown by the drawing. The torpedo vessel should keep the masts of her enemy in one until close to, when either torpedo will be used, according to the movement of the enemy. At the time of the tow-rope taking the cut-water, the brake is suddenly eased up; the tow-rope will then pass under the bottom, when, by checking the tow-rope, the torpedo will be hauled under the bottom.
Plate 9.
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 6.—ATTACKING A VESSEL IN MOTION COMING DOWN FROM AHEAD.
CASE 7.
ATTACKING A VESSEL IN MOTION, COMING UP TO HER FROM RIGHT ASTERN.
In this case, two torpedoes are launched and diverged, as in Case 6; and in this case it is assumed that the torpedo vessel can outspeed the vessel attacked, which will enable her to bring a torpedo under the run of the vessel attacked, as shown by the drawing.
Plate 10.
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 7.—ATTACKING A VESSEL IN MOTION COMING UP FROM ASTERN.
CASE 8.
IF CHASED BY A HOSTILE VESSEL, AND IT IS DEEMED UNADVISABLE TO FACE HER AND PROCEED AS IN CASE 6.
In this case, veer a torpedo astern, having first obtained a position a little on the bow of the chasing vessel. When it is known, by the length of the tow-rope out, that the torpedo is about abreast of her bow, hold fast the tow-rope, which will cause the torpedo to diverge, and be brought into contact, as shown in the drawing. As a last resort, drop spanned torpedoes.
Plate 11
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 8.—CHASED BY A HOSTILE VESSEL.
CASE 9.
ATTACKING A VESSEL IN MOTION BY CROSSING HER BOW.
In this case, the torpedo being diverged when near, will, after crossing the bow, be dragged into contact, as shown by the drawing.
Torpedoes can be used with a stern-board, if necessary. The port torpedo, in this case, will be launched on the starboard side, and the starboard on the port side.
Plate 12
Kell Bros. Lith. London.
CASE 9.—ATTACKING A VESSEL IN MOTION BY CROSSING THE BOW.
In conclusion, it should be stated that a dark night and tempestuous weather are in favour of the attacking torpedo vessels; and these conditions are especially advantageous when attacking large, long, unwieldy vessels, and the greater the number of them together, the more easily can they be disabled or destroyed, by reason of consequent confusion. Though the sea torpedo can be used in the light of day, or darkness of night, by vessels of the present navies, armed with cannon, it is nevertheless earnestly advised that fast vessels be built of comparatively small size and cost, adapted to the service of and armed with torpedoes, by reason that such vessels can keep at sea for long periods without replenishing supplies of coals and provisions; and in conflict upon the ocean, can easily destroy or render unseaworthy vessels, how large soever they may be, and armed with any cannon and projectiles at present known. Hence the necessity of being prepared with vessels suited to the change in naval warfare, and with officers well practised in an arm which, sooner or later, will be adopted by all Maritime States, by reason of its economy and efficiency. In the tactics, here attempted to be rendered intelligible, it is presumed that the various modes of attack are by small handy vessels adapted to the service, and armed with torpedoes, against large unwieldy vessels, armed with cannon. When it shall have been clearly demonstrated, in actual war, that large vessels can be disabled or destroyed by small vessels, with something like impunity, torpedo warfare will then take another form, that of torpedo vessels against torpedo vessels, whose tactics will, in due time, be a subject for another study.
FREDERICK HARVEY,
Commander R.N.