Navies of the world

by Edward W. Very

Ericsson’s Torpedo Vessel (Destroyer).

This vessel is 130 feet long by 12 feet beam and 10 feet draft, built with a straight bow, bow and stern lines being the same and very sharp. She has no upper-deck rail, this deck being very low, with a long superstructure rising amidships. There are no openings in the sides of this superstructure, so that if desirable the vessel may be run with her upper deck completely under water. Thirty-two feet from the bow a heavy armored bulkhead crosses the vessel, inclined at a vertical angle of 45°, and intended as a thorough protection to the engines and boilers, enabling the vessel to approach bows on with impunity. Her armament consists of a bow-torpedo, which is projected from a tube in a manner not unlike the firing of a projectile from a gun. This torpedo consists of a solid block of light wood having inserted in its forward end a heavy bursting-charge in a steel case. The transverse section of this torpedo is square; longitudinally it is a rectangle with sharpened ends. Ignition of the charge is obtained by means of a percussion fuse. To project this torpedo, it is inserted in a tube provided with water-gates, fixed in the bow of the boat just above the keel. A steam piston-rod fits against the after-end and pushes the torpedo out with a velocity sufficient to send it at least 100 feet. The weight of the torpedo is about 1400 lbs. This vessel has been tried, but the system is not yet perfected.

The Uhlan (German).

This vessel is of a novel type, consisting of two separate hulls, one within and abaft the other, the intervening space being filled with cork. She carries affixed to a ram which projects ten feet forward from the stem a dynamite contact torpedo. Arranged to travel at a high speed, the idea is to carry her at full speed against the enemy, the crew finding refuge on a small raft which she carries and which is detached just before her striking. It is not expected that the main hull, in which are the engines and steering-gear, will be injured by the explosion. The raft, it is understood, is not completely detached from the vessel, but a long tow-line is paid out rapidly, and after the explosion of the torpedo the crew haul alongside and take the boat clear ready for another attack.

TORPEDO-BOATS.

The Thornycroft Torpedo-Launch.

This boat is built to combine great speed with a moderate seaworthiness and resisting power. The dimensions range as follows: length, 57 to 85 feet; beam, 7½ to 10 feet; draft, 3 to 4 feet. They are built of steel of an average thickness of ³/₁₆ an inch, being completely decked over. Generally they are divided into six separate water-tight compartments. The forward and after ones are store-rooms; the second one is arranged for the accommodation of the crew; the third is the pilot-house; fourth, engine and fire room; and fifth, for the accommodation of officers. The single-screw shaft projects some distance beyond the stern-post to allow the double rudder to work forward of it. The screw itself is of a peculiar construction, so built as to project the water straight aft instead of radially. These launches are fitted for either spar or Whitehead torpedoes. In the former case the swivelled sleeve in which the spar works pivots abreast the pilot-house. In the latter case two methods are in use. By one, a Whitehead is carried on deck on each side mounted on a carriage running on rails, by which they may be run up to a firing-case on the forward part of the deck. This firing-case is mounted on a pivot-carriage and has depressing-gear, so that the torpedo may be pointed in any desired direction. A pointing apparatus is provided in the pilot-house by means of which allowance of angle may be made for the movements of the boat or of the attacked vessel. The pivot-circle is graduated so that the torpedo may be correctly aimed with but little difficulty. By the other arrangement, a Whitehead is carried on each side on pivoted davits in a sling, so that it may be lowered into the water; the machinery is then started by hand, and the torpedo moves off without being projected. In this case the torpedo can only be fired right ahead.

H. M. Steam Torpedo Launch "Lightning".

Thornycroft Torpedo-Launch.