Difference between revisions of "21-in Mark II Torpedo (UK)"

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(Mark II****)
(Mark II*****)
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===Mark II*****===
 
===Mark II*****===
The torpedoes were first described in 1916, differing in six details from their near-contemporary II****, including that the ranges were not marked on the shell.{{ARTS1916|pp. 40-41}}
+
The torpedoes were first described in 1916, differing in six details from their near-contemporary II****, including that the ranges were not marked on the shell and that they had a new three-speed generator that allowed the E.R. setting to be selected rather than hard-plumbed into a given torpedo.{{ARTS1916|pp. 40-41, 44}}
  
In May, 1918, the these torpedoes were noted as having the following settings at a charge of 2500 pounds per square inch, though each torpedo would have either the 35 or 44.5 knot setting, but not both:{{GFGTO|p. 16}}
+
In May, 1918, these torpedoes were noted as having the following settings at a charge of 2500 pounds per square inch, though each torpedo would have either the 35 or 44.5 knot setting, but not both:{{GFGTO|p. 16}}
 
* 44.5 knots to 4,500 yards (High Speed)
 
* 44.5 knots to 4,500 yards (High Speed)
 
* 35 knots to 6,000 yards (High Speed)
 
* 35 knots to 6,000 yards (High Speed)

Revision as of 11:16, 8 May 2013

R.G.F. Torpedoes Mark I and II, 1909[1]

The 21-in R.G.F. Mark II Torpedo was a British torpedo developed at the Royal Gun Factory and first ordered for service in 1909-1910.[Citation needed]

Development and History

It was developed in parallel with the Mark I torpedo, which was shorter at 18.5 feet.

Mark II

In 1909-1910, 4 hook bracket torpedoes were ordered.[Citation needed]

In May, 1918, the torpedo and its Mark II* variant were noted as having the following settings at a charge of 2350 pounds per square inch, though each torpedo would have either the 35 or 44.5 knot setting, but not both:[2]

  • 44.5 knots to 4,200 yards (High Speed)
  • 35 knots to 6,000 yards (High Speed)
  • 23 knots to 14,000 yards (Medium Speed)
  • 18 knots to 17,000 yards (E.R.)

The 2350 psi pressure was the "action" pressure; normal was 2200. Ranges were 300 yards less at 44.5 knots and 1,000 yards less at lower speeds at the normal pressure.

In December, 1918, the performance and settings were unchanged.[3]

Mark II*

Introduced in 1914, these featured rectified threads throughout, air vessel pressures of 2,350 psi for 10,750 yard range and two other improvements.[4]

In May, 1918, the torpedo and its Mark II ancestor were noted as having the following settings at a charge of 2350 pounds per square inch, though each torpedo would have either the 35 or 44.5 knot setting, but not both:[5]

  • 44.5 knots to 4,200 yards (High Speed)
  • 35 knots to 6,000 yards (High Speed)
  • 23 knots to 14,000 yards (Medium Speed)
  • 18 knots to 17,000 yards (E.R.)

The 2350 psi pressure was the "action" pressure; normal was 2200. Ranges were 300 yards less at 44.5 knots and 1,000 yards less at lower speeds at the normal pressure.

In December, 1918, the performance and settings were unchanged.[6]

Mark II**

Introduced in 1914, these included the improvements of the II** and added three other small features.[7]

In May, 1918, the Mark II**-II*** torpedoes were noted as having the following settings at a charge of 2500 pounds per square inch, though each torpedo would have either the 35 or 44.5 knot setting, but not both:[8]

  • 44.5 knots to 4,500 yards (High Speed)
  • 35 knots to 6,000 yards (High Speed)
  • 23 knots to 15,000 yards (Medium Speed)
  • 18 knots to 18,000 yards (E.R.)

The 2500 psi pressure was the "action" pressure; normal was 2350. Ranges were 300 yards less at 44.5 knots and 1,000 yards less at lower speeds at the normal pressure.

In December, 1918, the performance and settings were unchanged.[9]

Mark II***

In May, 1918, the Mark II**-II*** torpedoes were noted as having the following settings at a charge of 2500 pounds per square inch, though each torpedo would have either the 35 or 44.5 knot setting, but not both:[10]

  • 44.5 knots to 4,500 yards (High Speed)
  • 35 knots to 6,000 yards (High Speed)
  • 23 knots to 15,000 yards (Medium Speed)
  • 18 knots to 18,000 yards (E.R.)

The 2500 psi pressure was the "action" pressure; normal was 2350. Ranges were 300 yards less at 44.5 knots and 1,000 yards less at lower speeds at the normal pressure.

In December, 1918, the performance and settings were unchanged.[11]

Mark II****

In 1915, Commander-in-Chief Home Fleet wanted a proportion of torpedoes able to reach the greatest possible range. By year's end, trials of a torpedo with a projected range of 18,000 yards at 19-20 knots were anticipated. This initiative was to result in the creation of the Extreme Range (E.R.) torpedoes by the end of 1916, and they were intended to be used against the enemy battle line, two torpedoes of the latest type from each battleship and battle cruiser to be fitted for this new setting.[12][13]

The torpedoes were described in further detail in 1916, differing in seven details from the II***, including a tappet engine, wider gyroscope rudders and a "bye-pass valve on group" in torpedoes after No. 1168 R.N.T.F. and No. 1925 Whiteheah & Co.. They could share warheads with earlier Mark IIs.[14]

In May, 1918, the Mark II**-II*** torpedoes were noted as having the following settings at a charge of 2500 pounds per square inch, though each torpedo would have either the 35 or 44.5 knot setting, but not both:[15]

  • 44.5 knots to 4,500 yards (High Speed)
  • 35 knots to 6,000 yards (High Speed)
  • 23 knots to 15,000 yards (Medium Speed)
  • 18 knots to 18,000 yards (E.R.)

The 2500 psi pressure was the "action" pressure; normal was 2350. Ranges were 300 yards less at 44.5 knots and 1,000 yards less at lower speeds at the normal pressure.

In December, 1918, the performance and settings were unchanged.[16]

Mark II*****

The torpedoes were first described in 1916, differing in six details from their near-contemporary II****, including that the ranges were not marked on the shell and that they had a new three-speed generator that allowed the E.R. setting to be selected rather than hard-plumbed into a given torpedo.[17]

In May, 1918, these torpedoes were noted as having the following settings at a charge of 2500 pounds per square inch, though each torpedo would have either the 35 or 44.5 knot setting, but not both:[18]

  • 44.5 knots to 4,500 yards (High Speed)
  • 35 knots to 6,000 yards (High Speed)
  • 24 knots to 15,000 yards (Medium Speed)
  • 19 knots to 18,000 yards (E.R.)

The 2500 psi pressure was the "action" pressure; normal was 2350. Ranges were 300 yards less at 44.5 knots and 1,000 yards less at lower speeds at the normal pressure.

In December, 1918, the performance and settings were unchanged.[19]

Footnotes

  1. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1909. Plate 1.
  2. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  3. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  4. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1914. p. 9.
  5. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  6. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  7. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1914. p. 9.
  8. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  9. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  10. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  11. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  12. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1915. p. 37.
  13. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. pp. 43-46.
  14. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. p. 40.
  15. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  16. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  17. Annual Report of the Torpedo School, 1916. pp. 40-41, 44.
  18. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  19. Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.

Bibliography

See Also