Frederick Harvey

“ When it shall have been clearly demonstrated, in actual war, that large vessels can be disabled or destroyed by small vessels, with something like impunity, torpedo warfare will then take another form, that of torpedo vessels against torpedo vessels, whose tactics will, in due time, be a subject for another study. ”

“ A leading block for the tow-rope is placed on the deck by span or bolt a few feet in front of the brake. The safety-key reel, if used, must be fixed in a convenient position on deck, that the man attending it can see how to control it; in a properly-constructed vessel he would be in the pilot-house. The safety-key line leads through a small leading block on the ensign-staff or some convenient point abaft the lead of the tow-rope, that it may be kept well clear of it. The leading block on the yard may be fitted with a lizard, if thought necessary. ”

“ The torpedo, on reaching the water, will immediately diverge clear of the ship; the buoys being launched, as the strain comes on the buoy-rope, they will be towed clear away from the screw, and full speed may be put on at once. The men at the handspikes must veer steadily, occasionally checking the torpedo, that it may be kept near the surface, and not allowed to dive, which it will do if the tow-rope is slacked up altogether, and then a sudden strain brought on it. ”

“ To impart a thorough knowledge of the management of such an arm as the sea torpedo is a matter of easy accomplishment by personal explanation; especially so, when the arm is in the water, and practised with under conditions that would obtain in its application to the disabling of, or to the destruction of vessels against which it may be employed. ”

“ The loading hole of the priming case is at the bottom of the case, and arranged with cork and cap upon the same principle as the loading holes for main charge. A powerful spanner is provided for screwing in the priming case and caps of main loading holes, which are fitted with leather washers to form a water-tight joint. The priming case can be stored separate from the torpedo if preferred, but there is no necessity for so doing unless it is charged with a dangerous compound. When the torpedoes are being stored, a wooden plug is inserted into the brass tube of the priming case ”

“ The brass guard for the exploding bolt is an extra precaution (suggested by Capt. A. Hood, R.N., Director-General of Naval Ordnance) should any person by mistake attempt to place the bolt into the torpedo without the safety key in its place. It is placed over the head of the bolt and pushed down until the thumb-screw on the side works into a small hole in the shoulder of the bolt. [1] The manner in which this guard is fitted ensures its removal before launching, since the after lever cannot be placed until it is. It also makes a convenient handle for turning the bolt in the magazine. ”

“ The sea torpedo has the advantage of exploding only [4] when in hugging contact with the vessel attacked; the levers by which it is exploded are so placed in relation to the tow-rope, that either the side or top lever is found invariably to act effectively in forcing down the exploding [5] bolt at the instant of contact ”

“ Care should be taken that the short arm of the lever is brought close into the fair lead, and the lanyard should be set up sufficiently taut to give a slight spring in the after top lever by the strain brought on it. This lever has a steel fish on the top, in order to prevent it taking a permanent [13] bend. If the side-lever lanyard is properly set up, the bolt will spring down about one-eighth of an inch when the safety key is withdrawn, owing to the spring in the lever and shrinking of the lanyard ”

“ A thin sheet of lead is always kept on the bottom, affording a soft material for moving them about on, removing the objection that may be made to the friction caused by an iron bottom in the moving of them in the torpedo-room. ”

“ The electrical arrangement has its own exploding bolt, which differs from the other only below the safety key, which key is fitted and worked in the same manner as the mechanical one, in order that the electrical arrangement might not be disturbed by an accidental blow when launching. ”

“ The interior case is made of stout sheet copper; the case has two loading holes corresponding in size to two holes in the deck, or top of the exterior case. These holes are made sufficiently large to load with gun-cotton discs, if preferred. [6] The loading holes are fitted with corks, which are inserted before screwing on the brass cap, to prevent any chance of accident through friction in screwing on the cap; the bushing has the thread of the screw on the outside for the same reason. ”

“ Hence the necessity of being prepared with vessels suited to the change in naval warfare, and with officers well practised in an arm which, sooner or later, will be adopted by all Maritime States, by reason of its economy and efficiency. ”

“ By taking out these screws, several more thicknesses of [15] sheet-lead can be screwed on, the same screws binding all together. On leaving the manufacturers, there is sufficient lead placed on the bottom for a speed between three and ten knots. A very large increase of ballast would require another buoy to be strung on over and above the usual complement.
(T)
The proper adjustment of the slings is most important, as the divergence depends upon it. ”

“ The intermediate tube d is attached to the head of the spindle f at t. When pressure is brought to bear on the firing bolt e, the spindle f is forced down, and carries with it the insulated bridge p, until the bridge touches the insulated terminal l. It will be seen that the [29] long spiral spring g and short spiral spring h serve to support the spindle f, and keep the bridge p off the terminal l until they are forced into contact. Whilst the insulated bridge p remains above the insulated terminal, the former is in constant contact with the metal bridge u ”