The Dreadnought Project

[NewGolconda]

I notice in the wiki on the KGV's, reference is made to these being retained for torpedo control.

Friedman, in the early chapters of "network centric warfare" and perhaps one or two other works, makes reference to these post jutland superstructure rangefinders being dual use - torpedo direction and to provide data for tactical plotting, the superstructures of most of the WWI dreadnoughts in this time beeing modified to incorperate more room for tactical plotting.

[tone]

It's not clear to me how this all played out.

There is note made repeatedly that the TCT's 9-footers were to be used exclusively for torpedo control, but the Dreyer tables' range plotting typewriters had "T" keys for plotting the cuts of these devices. I doubt the ambition that torpedo control alone use these RFs held sway when the big picture was considered.

More likely, these were preferred for TC use, but never (or not long) reserved for such purposes. I cannot figure out why the RN was so slow to see how toothless the torpedo armament of capital ships were for the cost in weight and space reserved for their support and use. I'd think it had to be blindingly obvious to all but an entrenched torpedo warfare professional!

What role, if any, torpedo plotting played is also in question. I think it fell into deep disfavor around 1918, but the terminology used is perhaps ambiguous. I offer it brief mention at the end of the article on the Torpedo Control Plotting Instrument.

It appears that the Hood was to have, as of 1918, a plotting table for torpedo work, in a space dedicated to plotting.

tone