Description of the Menzing Towing Torpedo.—This modified form of the Harvey towing torpedo was designed by Captain Menzing, of the German navy, to remedy what is considered by the Germans as the chief defect of that weapon, viz. its liability to injure friendly vessels, and also to do away with the necessity of using two torpedoes, one for each side of a ship.
At [Fig. 117] is shown a plan and elevation of this towing torpedo. a is the body of the torpedo, somewhat similar to the Harvey, but narrower at the stern, and bevelled on both sides towards the bow; b is an iron frame placed in the bow, capable of being turned either to the right or left; c is the hole for the introduction of the fuze, and d is the loading hole; e is a rudder placed at the stern of the torpedo; f, f are levers, by pressure against which the torpedo may be fired mechanically, or electrically at will; these levers are connected to a block of wood fitted with stops to prevent them being pushed too far over; s and p are two towing ropes, one on each side of the torpedo, which pass from its stern through the point of the frame b, and thence to the vessel, these are also connected to the rudder e in such a manner that on either of the ropes s and p being tautened the rudder e is turned in the opposite direction; w is an electric cable, strong enough to bear the whole pressure of the torpedo when being towed right aft.
To diverge the torpedo on the starboard quarter of the ship, the line s must be slackened, and the whole towing strain brought on the rope p, causing the frame b to be pulled over to a knot k in the rope p, made at the proper position to ensure the torpedo towing at the correct angle from the course of the vessel, and at the same time causing the rudder e to be turned to starboard; this is shown at [Fig. 117] by the dotted lines.
To diverge the torpedo on the port quarter, the towing rope p would be slackened and the whole strain brought on the rope s, and an action opposite to that already described would be the result.
Two cork buoys are used, similar to those employed with the Harvey torpedo; one being attached at a distance of 10 feet from the stern of the torpedo, and the other at such a distance astern that the torpedo would be placed at a distance below the surface to allow of safety to a friendly vessel.
GERMAN AND FRENCH TOWING TORPEDOES.
The torpedo is manipulated in a similar manner to the Harvey, the circuit being closed at the moment of the first buoy disappearing, at which time the torpedo would be about ten feet below the surface. The two buoys are together capable of supporting the torpedo, and thus by means of the second one it may be picked up, should it be necessary to cut the towing ropes.