21-in Mark II Torpedo (UK)

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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.[12]

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:[13]

  • 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.[14]

Mark II*****

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:[15]

  • 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.[16]

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. ↑ Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  14. ↑ Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  15. ↑ Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.
  16. ↑ Grand Fleet Gunnery and Torpedo Orders. p. 16.

Bibliography

See Also

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